A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Nachspiel

NACHSPIEL, i.e. Afterpiece. A name given by the modern German school of organists to pieces intended to be played at the conclusion of the service, while the congregation is leaving the church. This form of composition is also called Postludium, and has even been englished as 'Postlude.' The German title corresponds to the word Vorspiel, used as an equivalent to Präludium or Prelude. Examples of the name (Nachspiel) may be found in the works of Joseph André and Rinck, and examples of Postlude in that of the late Henry Smart, and in the Organist's Quarterly Journal, etc.

[ J. A. F. M. ]