Composer

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Sigfrid Karg-Elert

Genre

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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5:16

Sigfrid Karg-Elert's 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Op. 65/33' is a choral prelude for organ, composed in 1909. The piece is based on the hymn of the same name by Philipp Nicolai, which is often sung during Advent and is a popular choice for weddings. The piece is in three movements, with the first and third being variations on the hymn tune, and the second being a more free-form interlude. The first movement begins with a simple statement of the hymn tune in the pedals, which is then taken up by the manuals in a more elaborate setting. The second movement is more introspective, with a series of arpeggios and chords that gradually build in intensity before subsiding again. The third movement returns to the hymn tune, but this time in a more elaborate and virtuosic setting, with the melody weaving in and out of the texture. Karg-Elert's style is characterized by his use of chromaticism and complex harmonies, which give his music a distinctive and often haunting quality. He was also known for his use of unusual and innovative registration, which is evident in this piece in the way he uses the different manuals and stops of the organ to create a rich and varied sound. 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme' is a challenging piece to play, requiring both technical skill and a sensitive interpretation of the music. It is a testament to Karg-Elert's skill as a composer that the piece remains popular with organists and audiences alike, more than a century after it was first composed.

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