Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Born: November 21, 1877; Bergdorf am Neckar
Died: April 9, 1933
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German composer and organist Sigfrid Karg-Elert, though not widely known, had a prodigious output, having composed his greatest bulk of work for the organ and harmonium. A reappraisal of his work began with a series of ambitious recording projects in the 1990s, cataloguing his most important contributions.
The composer's father, Johann Karg, a book dealer, rarely saw his family. Constantly on the move, the family lived in many areas
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| Featured Sigfrid Karg-Elert CDs & DVDs: |
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Works
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A Cycle of Eight Short Pieces, Op 154 (4)
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A Cycle of Eight Short Pieces, Op. 154: no 8, Chorale (1)
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Abendgefühl (1)
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Acht Gedichte, Op. 52, for voice & piano (2)
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An Mein Weib, Op. 54, for voice & piano: Heft 1. No. 2. Kehr' ein bei mir (2)
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An Mein Weib, Op. 54, for voice & piano: Heft 2. No. 4. Deine Seele (2)
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An Mein Weib, Op. 54, for voice & piano: Heft 2. No. 5. Deine Wirkung (2)
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Aphorismen, Op. 51 (1)
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Aquarellen (5), Op. 27 (1)
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Aquarellen (5), Op. 27: no 2, Invocation (1)
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Arabeske for Piano in G flat major, Op. 5 "Filigran" (1)
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Arrangement of Bach's Adagio (Air célèbre), BWV 1068 (1)
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Aus dem Norden, Op. 18 (1)
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Canzone and Toccata, Op. 85 no 1 (1)
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Canzone in G flat, Op 46b (1)
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Capriccio for organ (transcription of Bach's Toccata in G major, BWV 916) (1)
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Caprices (25) and Sonata for Saxophone solo, Op. 153 (1)
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Caprices for Flute, Op. 107 "Gradus ad Parnassum" (1)
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Caprices for Flute, Op. 107 "Gradus ad Parnassum": no 1 (1)
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Caprices for Flute, Op. 107 "Gradus ad Parnassum": no 2 (1)
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Caprices for Flute, Op. 107 "Gradus ad Parnassum": no 3 (1)
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Caprices for Flute, Op. 107 "Gradus ad Parnassum": no 4 (1)
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Caprices for Flute, Op. 107 "Gradus ad Parnassum": no 5 (1)
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Cathedral Preludes for Organ, Op. 155: no 2, Sursum corda (1)
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Cathedral Windows (6), Op. 106 (2)
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Cathedral Windows (6), Op. 106: no 2, Ave Maria (1)
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Cathedral Windows (6), Op. 106: no 3, Resonet in laudibus (1)
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Cathedral Windows (6), Op. 106: no 4, Adeste fideles (3)
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Cathedral Windows (6), Op. 106: no 5, Saluto angelico (2)
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Chaconne and Fugue Trilogy for Organ and Percussion, Op. 73 (1)
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Characteristische Tonstücke (10), Op. 86 (1)
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Characteristische Tonstücke (10), Op. 86: no 5, Pax vobiscum (2)
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Charakteristische Stücke (7) for Piano, Op. 32 (1)
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Chorale improvisation & fugue after Bach's "Singt dem Herrn ein neues Lied" (BWV 225) (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (3), WoO 14 (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: Excerpt(s) (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 1, Ach, bleib mit deiner Gnade (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 10, Vom Himmel hoch (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 11, Valet will ich dir geben (Wie soll ich dich empfangen) (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 12, An Wasserflüssen Babylon (Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld) (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 13, Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 14, Herr und Ältster deiner Kreuzgemeinde (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 15, Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 16, Herzlich tut mich verlangen (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 17, Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 18, Ich will dich lieben (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 19, Ich dank dir schon (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 2, Aus meines Herzens Grunde (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 20, O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 21, O Welt ich muss dich lassen (5)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 22, Sollt ich meinem Gott (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 23, Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 24, Dir, dir (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 25, Erchienen ist der herrlich Tag (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 26, Jesu, hilf siegen, du Fürste des Lebens (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 27, Jesus meine Zuversicht (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 28, Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 3, Alles ist an Gottes Segen (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 33, Wachet auf (4)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 35, Gott des Himmels und der Erden (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 36, Herr, wie du willst, so schick's mit mir (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 38, Jesu, meine Freude (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 4, Es ist das Heil uns kommen her (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 40, O dass ich tausend Zungen hätte (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 41, O Durchbrecher aller Bande (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 42, O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 43, O Gott, du frommer Gott (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 44, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 45, Aus tiefer Not (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 47, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 48, Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt (2)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 49, Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 5, Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele (4)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 54, Werde munter, mein Gemüte (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 55, Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein Ende (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 56, Jesu, geh voran (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 57, Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 58, Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 59, Nun danket alle Gott (8)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 59, Nun danket alle Gott "Marche triomphale" (23)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 6, Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (3)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 61, Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 63, Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 64, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 7, Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 8, Macht hoch die Tür (4)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: no 9, Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder (Von Gott will ich nicht lassen) (4)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: Nun danke alle (1)
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Chorale Improvisations (66) for Organ, Op. 65: Valet will ich Dir geben (1)
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Chorale Improvisations for Organ, Op 65: Lobt Gott (1)
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Chorale Prelude(s) (1)
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Das Schilfwasser, Op. 11 (1)
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Dekameron, Op. 69 (1)
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Diverse Pieces (4) for Organ, Op. 75a (1)
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Diverse Pieces for Organ, Op. 75: no 2, Chorale Improvisation on "In dulci jubilo" (2)
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Echo, for organ (transcription of Bach's Partita in B minor, BWV 831) (1)
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Einsames Vögelein - Eine Triller Cadenz (1)
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Exotische Rhapsodie, Op. 118 (1)
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Expressionismen (2) for Harmonium (1)
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Fantasie and Fugue in D major, Op. 39b (1)
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Fugue, Canzona and Epilog for Organ, Op. 85 no 3 (6)
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Fugue, Canzone & Epilog, for organ (1)
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Gedichte (2), Op. 43, for voice & piano (2)
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Gedichte von Melanie Barth (4), Op. 62, for voice & piano (2)
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Graduale for Harmonium, W 7a (1)
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Heidebilder (1)
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Homage to Handel (1)
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Homage to Handel, 54 studies for organ in variation form on a bass of Handel (1)
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Hommage to Handel, Op. 75b (5)
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Hymn to the Stars (1)
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Impressionen, Op. 102, Nos. 10 & 7: Fernsicht vor dem Regen (1)
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Impressionen, Op. 102, Nos. 10 & 7: Vorüber (1)
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Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 108 (1)
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Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 72 (3)
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Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 72: no 1, Harmonies du soir (2)
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Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 72: no 2, Claire de lune (2)
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Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 72: no 3, La nuit (1)
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Impressions exotiques for Flute and Piano, Op. 134 (2)
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Improvisation: Nearer my God to Thee, for organ,Op 81 (1)
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Jugend for Flute, Clarinet, Horn and Piano, Op. 139 (2)
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Kaleideskop, Op. 11 (1)
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Kaleidoscope, for organ, Op. 144 (1)
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Kaleidoscope, Op. 144 (1)
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Klavierstücke (2), Op. 22 (1)
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Klavierstücke (4), Op. 23 (1)
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La source mystique (1)
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Legend (1)
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Lieder, Op. 59/II, for voice & piano: 1. Einst (2)
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Lieder, Op. 59/II, for voice & piano: 5. Still! (2)
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Lieder, Op. 59/II, for voice & piano: 6. Unverstanden (2)
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March Triomphale "Now thank we all our God", for organ, Op. 65/13 (5)
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Miniaturen (10) for Piano, Op. 64 "Patina" (1)
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Miniatures (2) for Harmonium (1)
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Miniatures, Op. 9 (1)
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Mosaik (1)
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Music for Organ, Op. 145 (1)
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Nearer my God to Thee, Op. 81 (1)
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New Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 142 (2)
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New Impressions (3) for Organ, Op. 142: no 2, Valse mignonne (5)
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Nun danket alle Gott (Marche triomphale), Op. 65/59 (1)
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Nun danket alle Gott, marche triomphale (chorale improvisation) for organ (& brass ad lib), Op. 65/5 (2)
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Nächtlicher Regen (1)
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Ostinato e Fughetta for Organ, Op. 34b (1)
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Partita for Organ in E major, Op. 100 (1)
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Partita retrospettiva for Organ, Op. 151 (1)
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Passacaglia and Fugue for Organ on B-A-C-H, Op. 150 (6)
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Pastels (3), Op. 92 (2)
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Pastels (3), Op. 92: no 3 in F sharp major (1)
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Pastels (7) from the Lake of Constance, for organ, Op.96 (2)
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Pastels (7) from the Lake of Constance, Op. 96 (1)
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Pastels (7) from the Lake of Constance, Op. 96: no 1 in B minor (2)
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Pastels (7) from the Lake of Constance, Op. 96: no 4, Reed... (1)
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Pastels (7) from the Lake of Constance, Op. 96: no 5 (1)
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Pastels (7) from the Lake of Constance, Op. 96: no 7 (1)
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Pastorale for Organ and Violin, Op. 48 no 2 (1)
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Pieces (2) for violin & organ, Op. 48b: Sanctus (1)
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Pièces (24) en style libre, Op. 31: Impromptu (1)
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Poesien (5) for Harmonium and Piano, Op. 35: no 4, Parabel (1)
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Poesien (5) for Harmonium and Piano, Op. 35: no 5, Ideale (1)
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Portraits (33) for Harmonium, Op. 101 "Stilstudien von Palestrina bis Schoenberg" (1)
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Portraits (33) for Harmonium, Op. 101 "Stilstudien von Palestrina bis Schoenberg": no 5, Lobet den H (1)
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Portraits (33) for Harmonium, Op. 101: no 5, Lobet den Herren mit Pauken und Zimbeln schön (Handel) (2)
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Praise the Lord With Drums and Cymbals, for organ (1)
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Prelude for Organ in C major, W 74 (1)
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Preludes and Postludes, Op. 78 (1)
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Prä- und Postludien (20), Op. 78: no 12, Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich (1)
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Quintet for Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Horn and Bassoon in C minor, Op. 30 (1)
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Reisebilder, Op. 7 (1)
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Renaissance, Op. 57 (1)
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Rondo alla campanella, for organ, Op. 156 (1)
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Rondo for Organ in A minor, Op. 156 "alla Campanella" (3)
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Sanctus for Organ and Violin, Op. 48 no 1 (2)
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Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, Op. 65/51 (1)
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Sempre semplice, Op. 142b: Basso Ostinato (1)
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Sensibilismen (2) for Harmonium (1)
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Sequenz no 1 in A minor (1)
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Sequenz no 2 in C minor (1)
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Sicilienne for Harmonium, W 10 (1)
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Silhouetten (7) for Harmonium and Piano, Op. 29: no 3, Dance ancienne (1)
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Silhouetten (7) for Harmonium and Piano, Op. 29: no 4, Berceuse mignonne (1)
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Silhouetten (7) for Harmonium and Piano, Op. 29: no 5, Quasi Minuetto (1)
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Sinfonische Kanzone, Op. 144 (1)
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Sketches (3) for Organ: Evening (1)
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Sketches (3) for Organ: Gossip (1)
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Sketches (3) for Organ: Sundown (1)
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Sonata appassionata for Flute and Piano in F sharp major, Op. 140 (3)
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Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in B major, Op. 139b (1)
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Sonata for Clarinet solo (1)
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Sonata for Flute and Piano in B flat major, Op. 121 (2)
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Sonata for Harmonium no 1 in B minor, Op. 36 (1)
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Sonata for Harmonium no 2 in B flat minor, Op. 46 (1)
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Sonata for Organ in A minor, Op. 74 (1)
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Sonatina for harmonium in A minor, Op. 14/3 (1)
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Sonatinas (3) for Harmonium, Op. 14 (1)
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Stimmen der Nacht, for organ (1)
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Stimmungen und Betrachtungen, Op. 53, for voice & piano (2)
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Suite Pointillistique for Flute and Piano, Op. 135 (2)
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Symphonic Canzona for Organ in C minor, Op. 85 no 2 (2)
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Symphonic Canzone for Flute and Piano, Op. 114 (4)
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Symphonic Chorales (3), Op. 87: no 1, Ach bleib'mit deiner Gnade (7)
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Symphonic Chorales (3), Op. 87: no 2, Jesu, meine Freude (5)
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Symphonic Chorales (3), Op. 87: no 3, Nun ruhen alle Wälder (2)
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Symphonic Chorals, Op. 87: 3. Nun ruhen alle wälder (1)
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Symphonie Pastorale, for organ (transcription of Bach's Sinfonia from Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248) (1)
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Symphony for Organ in F sharp minor, Op. 143 (3)
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Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and English Horn in D minor, Op. 49 (1)
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Triptych, Op. 141 (2)
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Walzerszenen, Op. 45 "Carneval" (1)
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Work(s) (1)
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Zehn Epigramme von Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Op. 56, for voice & piano (2)
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Zwielicht-Impressionen (1)
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Biography |
by Franklin Stover
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German composer and organist Sigfrid Karg-Elert, though not widely known, had a prodigious output, having composed his greatest bulk of work for the organ and harmonium. A reappraisal of his work began with a series of ambitious recording projects in the 1990s, cataloguing his most important contributions.
The composer's father, Johann Karg, a book dealer, rarely saw his family. Constantly on the move, the family lived in many areas throughout German-speaking Europe. Karg-Elert was the youngest of 12 children. Nonetheless, in spite of these hardships, his great musical aptitude was recognized early on. Traveling through Leipzig, the boy tried out for a position with the choir of Saint John's Church, which began his musical training. At 12, he composed a cantata, and soon thereafter began private piano lessons. In 1896, composer Emil von Reznicek obtained three years of tuition free study at the Leipzig Conservatory for the budding musician. There, he studied with Carl Reinecke, Salomon Jadassohn, and others. He supported himself during this time playing in cafes and playing now and then with regional orchestras.
Karg-Elert's Piano Concerto, performed by himself as soloist, won him additional free training at the Leipzig Conservatory, enabling him to graduate fully from the institution. This was arranged by piano virtuoso Reisenauer, who also convinced Karg-Elert to embark on a recital tour of Germany. However, it was composition that interested him, and on his return to Leipzig, he took up advanced composition study with Teichmuller at the conservatory. He was later appointed head of the master class at the Magdeburg Conservatory in 1902.
Not happy at Magdeburg, he left teaching altogether and concentrated full-time on composition. Around 1904, he met Edvard Grieg, who recommended his work to several publishers, notably Novello and Carl Simon, the Berlin publisher and harmonium specialist. The publication of his work resulted in gaining the backing of influential performers and composers of the day. Busoni, Kreutzer, and Reger performed his work, and encouraged the creation of new ones.
In 1915, Karg-Elert enlisted in the army, and played various instruments in the regimental bands. At this time, he composed his solo works for flute and clarinet. He returned to Leipzig in 1919 to teach at the Leipzig Conservatory once more. A rather dark time in the composers' life intervened between 1920 to about 1926. He was being criticized by some of his peers for not being nationalistic enough, and too cosmopolitan. The era of heightened national pride caused Karg-Elert to feel like a stranger in his own country, and he was even branded as a Jew, although he was not.
Karg-Elert composed over 250 pieces for organ, 100 pieces for the harmonium d'art (developed by French instrument-maker Mustel), numerous chamber works, and he completed several theoretical works. His theory of Harmonologie developed original approaches to practical theoretical considerations. |
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