Christ ist erstanden

Theofil Forchhammer (1847-1923) was appointed organist of the Cathedral at Magdeburg in 1886, having succeeded the great August Ritter.

He was a highly regarded organist, and wrote over 1800 chorale preludes, of which only a small number where ever published. The bulk of his compositions were destroyed in World War II.

I recently discovered that many of his major works, including the Sonatas ARE in print (new editions), so, I hope to get them soon... ;-)

This brief but IMMENSE piece reminds of a giant - breaking through earth and rock, and boldy stepping onward to victory - like the risen Christ!

It is based on the chorale, which was in turn based upon the traditional Easter sequence hymn, "Victimae Paschali laudes."

HAPPY EASTER to ALL!!! :-)