Johann Georg Albrechtsberger - Prelude in E minor

This short and, in my view, slightly somber prelude was composed by Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (3 February 1736 - 7 March 1809), an Austrian composer and music theorist. Albrechtsberger held various posts during his music career, most notably as organist to the court of Vienna and kappellmeister of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. He was well-known in his day as a preeminent music scholar and theorist and was highly sought after by his students, among whom included Beethoven and Mozart.
The score to this piece indicates a trill in the penultimate measure. No matter how I played the ornament, I just couldn't get it to sound the way I wanted it to. So, I opted not to play it; and I think I prefer the ending without the flourish.
Played on the sample set of the 2012 Kamiński organ located at St. Anne's church in Długa Kościelna, Poland. Sample set by Piotr Grabowski.

[@albertoguerzoni]

Congratulations for the very expressive execution.

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

Thank you, Alberto.

[@francois7]

This is a very relaxing music !

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

Thank you very much! I agree completely!

[@memoriasdeunajaponesa]

Try whatever you feel like, i like all of your work!

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

Thanks for all of your comments and support. I greatly appreciate it.

[@jfhOrgue]

Well done ! A nice and short prelude which can be used at church to introduce any hymn in tone. The Dluga sample set was a good choice, I like its slightly hazy atmosphere, it is well suited to the piece.

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

Hi, thank you so much for the kind comment. I greatly appreciate it.

[@jfhOrgue]

@@thehalf-bakedorganist Sorry, I forgot to mention that according to me, the final ornament is definitely not necessary. Actually it would even break the general feeling of the prelude, so it's fine as it is !

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

@@jfhOrgue Thank you so much. I'm heartened to hear that. I really struggle with executing ornaments cleanly and consistently, and sometimes I just have to omit them altogether if I cannot pull them off credibly.

[@remi-chapalain]

Very beautiful ! Bravo!

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

Thanks, Remi. Appreciated.

[@FredMellink55]

Hello, where do you get all your sheet music from?

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

Hi, thank you for listening and commenting. I basically scour the internet for my sheet music. The vast majority of it comes from the IMSLP. But there is also a lot to be found in various libraries that have digitised their collections and made them accessible online. Occasionally I visit a library and make copies of old scores. I also frequent thrift shops looking for old hard copies of score material.

[@randyelkins1155]

@@thehalf-bakedorganist This one is on IMSLP as Fugue in E Minor - and it actually is technically a fugue - not a prelude. Although I believe they were much more fluid with titles back then and actually didn't expect folks in 2024 to have the remotest interest in what they had composed!
On the final trill have you ever tried a brief, slowish, auxiliary note (starting on the note above the trilled note) trill? In my experience as performer and teacher we often trill too fast in slower pieces.
Nice work.

[@randyelkins1155]

@@thehalf-bakedorganist imslp.org/wiki/Fugue_in_E_minor%2C_IJA_10_(Albrechtsberger%2C_Johann_Georg)

[@thehalf-bakedorganist]

@@randyelkins1155 Thanks for your comment and tip. I really struggle with ornamentation, so I'll give your suggestion a try next time. Cheers.

[@freddoliveira]

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