Voluntary in C Minor / C Major, Opus VIII, No. 14

George Berg (1720-1775) was a London-based musician—organist at the London church of St. Mary at Hill, teacher of violin and harpsichord, and composer of instrumental and vocal music. When remembered today, it is for his collections of songs, especially those he wrote for entertainments performed at the Ranelagh and Spring Gardens and other pleasure gardens (entertainment complexes) in London. Berg was a professional member of the Gentlemen and Noblemen’s Catch Club and of the Royal Society of Musicians as well.

Berg was also known as "George" Berg.

Sixteen of Berg's works appeared in print during his lifetime. This voluntary is the 8th work in that collection.

Written in a style "typical" of the period, it begins with a solemn prelude, played upon the Great Diapasons. This section is in the key of C minor.

Immediately following is the first of two sections in C major. The first is a trumpet with echoes section. The main trumpet is on the Swell, and the echo trumpet on the Choir.

The second section is sort of "cornet-like", and the passagework is complete with lots of animation and color.

The edition that I used is the one published by Harmonia in 1982, appearing as No. 21 in their "Icognita Organo" series.

I did not find any likeness of Georg Berg, but I did attach there photos of the Church of St. Mary at Hill, where he served as organist.