Chorales also appear in chorale preludes, pieces generally for organ originally designed to be played immediately before the congregational singing of the hymn, but developed into an autonomous genre by north-German composers of the middle and late 17th century, particularly Dieterich Buxtehude. A chorale prelude includes the melody of the chorale, and adds contrapuntal lines. One of the first composers to write chorale preludes was Samuel Scheidt. Bach's many chorale preludes are the best-known examples of the form. Later composers of the chorale prelude include Johannes Brahms, for example in his Eleven Chorale Preludes, and Max Reger who composed many examples, including Wie schön leucht' uns der Morgenstern (based on the hymn by Philipp Nicolai). In the 20th century, important contributions to the genre were made by Hugo Distler and Ernst Pepping.
chorales also appear in chorale preludes pieces generally for organ originally designed to be played immediately before the congregational singing of the hymn but developed into an autonomous genre by north-german composers of the middle and late 17th century particularly dieterich buxtehude a chorale prelude includes the melody of the chorale and adds contrapuntal lines one of the first composers to write chorale preludes was samuel scheidt bach's many chorale preludes are the best-known examples of the form later composers of the chorale prelude include johannes brahms for example in his eleven chorale preludes and max reger who composed many examples including wie schön leucht' uns der morgenstern (based on the hymn by philipp nicolai) in the 20th century important contributions to the genre were made by hugo distler and ernst pepping