Joseph Jongen

Complete Organ and Harmonium Works 2

Joseph Jongen (1873-1953) probably composed the "Sonata eroïca", the organ work that was to become his compositional hallmark, in just five days between September 18 and 25, 1930. He evidently composed his opus 94 from beginning to end with precise foresight of the respective steps; this is suggested by the extremely neatly written autograph. Composed as a commission on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Stevens organ for the Brussels Palace of Fine Arts, the "Sonata" is probably his best-known work today and is included in the third volume of this edition.

Like César Franck, who was also born in Liège, Jongen found a recognizable musical language in his oeuvre, which is characterized by harmonic colourfulness, references to choral singing and Walloon folklore, among other things.

Jongen's organ works include compositions of varying degrees of difficulty, from simpler pieces notated on two staves to virtuoso works for the professional organist.

This first Urtext edition and at the same time the first complete edition of Jongen's organ and harmonium works presents the compositions in three volumes, arranged chronologically according to their composition. The edition includes a preface (English/German) with practical performance notes and a critical report (English).