Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale Prelude

Compose Date

:

Sep 10, 1844

Publication Date

:

1906

Average_duration

:

1:24

Felix Mendelssohn composed his 'Chorale for organ in A flat major' in 1844. The piece was premiered in the same year by the composer himself at the inauguration of the new organ at St. Paul's Church in Frankfurt. The 'Chorale' is a single-movement work that lasts approximately six minutes. It is written in A flat major and is marked 'Andante sostenuto'. The piece is based on the chorale melody 'Vater unser im Himmelreich' (Our Father in Heaven), which is a Lutheran hymn. Mendelssohn uses the melody as the basis for a set of variations, which are presented in a series of contrasting sections. The piece begins with a simple statement of the chorale melody in the pedal, accompanied by a gentle arpeggio in the right hand. This is followed by a series of variations, each of which explores a different aspect of the melody. The first variation is a gentle, flowing melody in the right hand, accompanied by a simple pedal line. The second variation is more complex, with a faster tempo and a more intricate accompaniment. The third variation is a gentle, lyrical melody in the right hand, accompanied by a simple pedal line. The fourth variation is more dramatic, with a faster tempo and a more complex accompaniment. The fifth variation is a gentle, flowing melody in the right hand, accompanied by a simple pedal line. The final variation is a grand, triumphant statement of the melody, with a full organ sound. Throughout the piece, Mendelssohn demonstrates his mastery of the organ, using a wide range of textures and colors to create a rich and varied sound. The piece is characterized by its gentle, flowing melodies, its intricate accompaniments, and its grand, triumphant conclusion. It is a testament to Mendelssohn's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the organ as an instrument.

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