Adolph Hesse (1809-1863) was a student of the Breslau organist Friedrich W. Berner, but later also received lessons from Christian Heinrich Rinck and Louis Spohr. Highly respected as an organ virtuoso, composer and music reporter (since 1828), he undertook concert tours to Vienna (1831), Cologne (1832), Paris (1844 and 1862), Prague (1853 and 1858), London (1851 and 1862), among others. He liked to report on the important events and encounters during his travels in musical journals.
Hesse is well known for his numerous smaller organ pieces. In some of his works, which can be classified as concert pieces, he shows himself to be a composer of taste and a profound connoisseur of counterpoint. His prolific pedal playing on the organ was famous, including his double octave playing with both legs.
The Fantasie e-moll is in four parts. After an introduction, which is somewhat reminiscent of Mendelsohn with its alternation of chordal playing and quieter sections, a romantic Andante follows. After a short transition, a well-composed fugue concludes the composition.
0:00 Moderato - Mit vollem Werke
1:45 Andante
4:57 Allegro - Mit vollem Werke
5:40 (Fuge) Moderato