Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Compose Date

:

1850

Publication Date

:

1852

First Performance

:

Oct 29, 1852

Average_duration

:

29:43

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Franz Liszt's 'Fantasie & Fuge über den Choral, S. 259' is a monumental work for solo organ, composed in 1850. It was premiered by Liszt himself in the same year at the St. Peter's Church in Weimar, Germany. The piece is divided into two distinct movements, the Fantasie and the Fuge, both of which are based on the chorale "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam" from Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera 'Le prophète'. The Fantasie begins with a slow and solemn introduction, featuring a series of chords that gradually build in intensity. This leads into a virtuosic and highly ornamented section, characterized by rapid arpeggios and intricate figurations. Liszt employs a wide range of tonal colors and textures throughout the movement, from delicate and ethereal passages to thunderous and powerful chords. The chorale melody is woven throughout the Fantasie, appearing in various guises and serving as a unifying thread that ties the piece together. The Fuge is a tour-de-force of contrapuntal writing, featuring a complex and highly structured fugue subject that is developed throughout the movement. Liszt's mastery of counterpoint is on full display here, as he weaves together multiple voices in a seamless and intricate web of sound. The chorale melody is again present, serving as a counterpoint to the fugue subject and providing a sense of unity to the movement. Overall, 'Fantasie & Fuge über den Choral, S. 259' is a monumental work that showcases Liszt's virtuosity as a composer and performer. Its intricate counterpoint, rich tonal colors, and powerful emotional impact make it a masterpiece of the organ repertoire.

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