Composer

:

Nicolaus Bruhns

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Average_duration

:

8:20

Nicolaus Bruhns was a German Baroque composer and organist who lived from 1665 to 1697. He was born in Schwabstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, and was the son of a Lutheran pastor. Bruhns was a student of the famous Danish-German composer and organist Dieterich Buxtehude, who was also his father-in-law. Bruhns' music is characterized by its virtuosity, expressiveness, and emotional intensity. One of Bruhns' most famous works is his Prelude & Fugue for organ No. 2 in E minor. This piece was composed around 1685 and is believed to be one of Bruhns' earliest surviving works. It was likely written for the organ in the Marienkirche in Husum, where Bruhns was the organist from 1689 until his death. The Prelude & Fugue for organ No. 2 in E minor is a two-movement work that showcases Bruhns' skill as an organist and composer. The prelude is a lively and virtuosic piece that features rapid passagework, intricate counterpoint, and a wide range of dynamics. It begins with a bold statement in the pedal, followed by a series of cascading arpeggios in the manuals. The middle section of the prelude is more contemplative, with a slower tempo and a more lyrical melody. The prelude ends with a return to the opening material, building to a thrilling conclusion. The fugue is a more complex and structured piece, with a strict contrapuntal form. It begins with a subject that is introduced in the pedal and then imitated in the manuals. The subject is then developed through a series of episodes, with each voice taking turns playing the main theme. The fugue features a number of different textures and harmonies, with moments of tension and release. The final section of the fugue is particularly impressive, with a virtuosic pedal solo that brings the piece to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, the Prelude & Fugue for organ No. 2 in E minor is a masterful work that showcases Bruhns' skill as a composer and organist. It is a challenging piece to perform, requiring a high level of technical proficiency and musical sensitivity. Despite its difficulty, it remains a popular and beloved work in the organ repertoire, and a testament to Bruhns' enduring legacy as a composer.

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