The website of the Karg-Elert Archive with news and comment from around the world
Sigfrid Karg-Elert, 1877-1933, was an important German composer of the late nineteenth
and the early twentieth centuries.
The Karg-Elert Archive was originally founded in 1987 with the objective of encouraging
the performance, recording and publication of the composer’s music. Growing in appreciation
by a widening circle of performers and discriminating audiences; it represents a
peak of late Romantic music in its emotional intensity, variety of styles and imaginative
use of resources, both instrumental and vocal.
The Karg-Elert Archive
Founded in 1987 as the Karg-Elert Society. The Archive is based in England.
Last May it was the Albert Hall, Nottingham which drew the crowds for Fugue, Canzona and Epilogue; October 1st and November 15th saw huge numbers attending performances in Christchurch Priory and in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, given by Peter King and Charles Andrews. Both buildings, in their very different ways, provided sumptuous settings for Homage to Handel and Jesu, meine Freude respectively: the solemn Norman nave at Christchurch, with the vaulted Great Quire beyond; and the baroque splendours of St Paul’s where the brilliantly lit mosaics of the Dome provided an inspiring backdrop to Karg-Elert’s masterpiece. Both players did ample justice to these major works; Peter King’s genial personality and helpful programme notes assured an entertaining experience, which comprised a colourful conducted tour of the fine Priory instrument. And it was encouraging to see later a crowd of concert-goers eager to buy the soloist’s CD of Homage to Handel.
On Sundays, entry to St Paul’s Cathedral is restricted to those attending services and the 4.45pm organ recital, which always attracts a large audience. Undaunted by the huge size of the cathedral’s instrument and the building’s cavernous acoustic, Charles Andrews gave as good a performance of this complex but fascinating work as I’ve ever heard. Careful choice of the organ’s bright choruses and rock-steady rhythm ensured that very little detail of the music was lost. It must have been a very long time since Jesu, meine Freude was last heard here; the occasion was certainly a memorable one, at which surely more Archive members should have been present.
One of the Archive’s objectives is the encouragement of Karg-Elert performances, including some recent programmes played by very talented younger organists who are willing to undertake the study and performance of challenging works to a high standard. We appreciate the enthusiasm which they have shown in their doing so, and look forward to future performances, including one of Seven
St Paul’s Cathedral from Ludgate Hill. There are often afternoon organ recitals here
on Sundays.
We are again grateful to our Council member, Tony Luker, for discovering the recording of Karg-Elert’s transcription for organ of two of Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words. They form part of the four selections Karg-Elert made, listed in the Catalogue of Works as B68. Johannes Geffert has recorded Trauermarsch and Dialog on the Klais organ of the Cistercian abbey of Himmerod in the Eifel, Germany. This disc is available on the RFO label ORG 7232 and can be obtained from: Priory Records. Tel: 01525 377566, price £13.50 including postage. www.priory.org.uk
Another Mendelssohn Transcription
Pastels from the Lake of Constance op 96, still in the planning stage for later this year in central London. Members of the Archive are able to show their appreciation and encouragement by their presence on such occasions.
Wednesday August 11 at 7.30 pm
Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England Professor Graham Barber (organ) Introduction,
Passacaglia and Fugue op 150 (new version 2000 by Wolfgang Stockmeier)
