- Fuge für die Orgel
[5:0]
A 2-measure chromatic fugue subject with a recognizable 3-note component is presented both rectus (right-side-up) and inversus (up-side-down), some
softer interludes on the Hinterwerk over an organ point provide welcome relief from the sternness. The key changes from 7 flats to 2 sharps about
halfway through and then back again, so smoothly one wouldn't think about it if one weren't looking at the score. On the last page, the three notes
are used in both eighths and quarters, which I tried to emphasize, and then Brahms makes use of them in staccato with an extra eighth rest, with the
rest of the fugue subject in dotted quarters again interrupted by quarter rests. The work was published in 1864, much earlier than his other organ
music. Possibly it is so dark because of the recent death of his friend Robert Schumann. Uses Bradley Lehman temperament, "not just for Bach anymore."
Registration is viewable here.
Instrument:
St. Anne's Church, Moseley, Birmingham, England (1874) - Samples by Martin Dyde
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Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 2 software
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