O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht - Op.60 Nr.18

This is chorale prelude 'O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht', number 18/20 of my project 'Chorale Preludes Op. 60 by Karl Hoyer', played on the suitable Annaberg Walcker/Eule instrument (with added reverb to simulate surround sound). This Opus 60 is titled 'Zwanzig leichte Choralvorspiele für Orgel'.

Indicated with 'Choraltempo'. It's a solid and forte prelude, with the melody of the chorale in the Bass part, pretty straight forward.

Karl Hoyer was born at Weißenfels/Saale in 1891. From 1907-1911 he studied in Leipzig with Max Reger (composition) and Karl Straube (organ). Already as a student, he was Straube’s official deputy at the Thomaskirche. In 1911 he became organist in Reval (today Tallinn), 1912 in Chemnitz. In 1926, he was appointed Professor for organ in Leipzig and organist at the Nicolai-Kirche with its romantic organ by Ladegast (1862) and Sauer (1902-1903). Hoyer died in 1936 after surgery following an accident. His compositions comprise mainly music for organ, but also piano, chamber and vocal music.

His style can be described as “modern late romantic”, following Liszt and Reger, but also including an impressionistic touch and sometimes more modern harmonies as in the French organ style of that time. His music was almost forgotten during the return to neobaroque style and the neglect of the late romantic instruments.

See also the (growing) playlist 'Annaberg_Hoyer_Op60'.

Your remarks are very welcome :-)

Enjoy!

Marco