Johann Kuhnau

Selected Organ Works

Johann Kuhnau (1660-1720) is a composer whose fame is connected with a single work of a rather comprehensive oeuvre: There is hardly an organist who has not played his first biblical sonata 'Der Streit zwischen David und Goliath'. With the biblical sonatas and even his printed piano booklets which stand out for their relatively easy playability, Kuhlau primarily wanted to reach the circles of middle-class music lovers in which domestic music played an important role. Although he left an extensive repertoire for keyboard instruments, the original organ works take up only little space. The new edition of selected works, 'Ausgewählte Werke', contains not only 'Der Streit zwischen David und Goliath' but also two preludes and fugues in G and B flat major, a sonata in B flat major as well as a toccata in A major and a fugue in G minor. With notes on interpretation and critical report.