Little Fugue in C

The Swiss composer, Theophil Forchhammer (1847 – 1923) is nowadays virtually forgotten, but during his life he was regarded as among the most important and influential organist-composers of his time. He was a member of a prominent family or artists and scholars. He took up his first position as an organist in Thalwil, Switzerland, in 1867, and progressed through a number of different Swiss and German cities before in 1886 he was appointed organist of the cathedral at Magdeburg, in succession to the famous organist August Gottfried Ritter (1811-1885). Forchhammer remained in Magdeburg for the rest of his career; he also became Royal Music Director and a Professor at the University and exercised an influence on musical life throughout the churches of Saxony. He was an outstanding improviser and virtuoso player whose musical thinking was founded on his deep study of J.S. Bach. However, he was also deeply impressed by the music of Franz Liszt and in his own music - a significant portion of which is now, unfortunately, lost - he attempted a synthesis of Baroque and Romantic principles which makes him a notable forerunner of Max Reger.

This tiny fugue is presented here on what could be regarded as the wrong organ in terms of period (Arlesheim). However I find the work's joyful spirit revels in the clear sparkling principal choruswork and is thus in keeping with the composer's admiration of Bach. MIDI file attached.

My Hauptwerk console continues to undergo major reconstruction and testing. This is my first effort since dismantling then reconstructing the console back in mid-January to install an “iConnectivity Mio10” MIDI controller and to make numerous other modifications - some of which are still to be carried out.