for the Piano or the Organ
Anselm Hüttenbrenner, a friend and fellow student of Franz Schubert as well as a respected pianist, picking up initially on the style of Viennese Classicism and of Schubert, developed an independent musical language of extraordinary quality and of great diversity of style.
This is also evident in the 72 Preludes published here for the first time. Comprising but a few bars, it is precisely this brevity in connection with a distinct compositional substance that makes these compact pieces so exceptional. They are characterized by catchy melodies, by distinctive initial motifs in their witty development and especially by numerous expressive, often unexpected harmonic progressions, at the same time they leave a naturally flowing impression.
Technically well feasible and easily learned, these versatile usable gems, because different typical playing figures are also trained, are not only suitable for playing at home, but also for lessons. This Hüttenbrenner himself underlines with his subtitle “for aspiring organ or pianoforte players”. And not least, these 72 Preludes offer a multitude of possibilities for event-related individual combinations in small groups. This in turn makes them effective performance pieces in a concert setting or even atmospheric interludes during a religious service.
The present first edition fulfils all the requirements of musicology and musical practice. The preface and the critical remarks are printed in German and English.