Präludium und Fuge D-Dur

Here we have a truly monumental work (op.1 Nr.6) of mine that I composed 2 years ago. It only sounds really good after my extremely thorough revision and - as always - on the wonderful sample set of the baroque organ at Erfurt Büßleben. I have reduced the tempo considerably and placed great emphasis on articulation, so that the polyphonic flow of the voices can be perceived very well. This work is dedicated to Nina, a very good friend of the family. She is Australian and now we come to the theme on which this work is based. It is the beautiful anthem of Australia. Now here are a few clarifying words about the hymn:

Advance Australia Fair (Advance, beautiful, happy Australia) has been the Australian national anthem since 1984.
The song was composed in the 19th century by Peter Dodds McCormick and first performed in 1878.

Before Australia had its own national anthem, God Save the Queen was used as the national anthem. In the wake of Australia's secession from the United Kingdom, an Australian National Anthem Quest was held in 1973 to compose and write a completely new anthem. However, none of the results presented were convincing, so that the songs Waltzing Matilda, Song of Australia and two stanzas from Advance Australia Fair, which had already been used as unofficial national anthems, were finally proposed.

In a 1977 referendum, a majority of 43.6% voted for Advance Australia Fair, while the other options were only 28.5% each ("Waltzing Matilda"), 18.7% ("God Save the Queen") and 9.2% ("Song of Australia"). Therefore, "Advance Australia Fair" was adopted as the new national anthem on 19 April 1984. The royal anthem continues to be God Save the Queen.