Marcia funèbre, Op.59

Johan Adam Krygell (18 September 1835 in Næstved – 27 July 1915 in Copenhagen) was a Danish organist and composer. His father was the regimental musician by lansener Regiment in Næstved. As a young man were Krygell trained as a painter, but at the same time he worked as a dance musician. Due to illness he had to give up painting craft and then devoted himself entirely to music. He took lessons and was employed as an organist in 1863 by the boarding school at Herlufsholm. He studied with. Niels w. Gade, Gotfred Matthison-Hansen and J.P.E. Hartmann. In 1874, he received a scholarship and went on a study trip in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. On the journey he met Liszt in Rome. From 1880 until his death he was organist of St. Matthew's Church in Copenhagen.

In addition to his written compositions, he was highly praised for his improvisations. He emerged during his time as the personification of the romantic organ artist, but since he is more or less gone into oblivion.

I wanted to do an upload for Halloween, and, not finding what I was searching for, I decided to do a "spooky" funeral march.

As it turns out, this isn't all that "spooky," but it is expressive and compelling. The pathos in it sings with true solemn sorrow, and the work, while rather long (12 minutes) is worth the time spent listening.

The work was published around 1910-11 by Hansen, and breathes the very essence of "romantic, ceremonial sorrow."

I want to say that it is not my intent to "poke fun" at the dead, nor would I want to diminish sorrow that any of us may be feeling in the loss of a friend or loved one.

For another of Krygell's works: http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/17821

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Johan Adam Krygell, and several of St. Matthew's Church in Copenhagen, where he was organist.

Happy Halloween to All! :-)