Sonata pel organo o clavicembalo - 1st movement

Johann Carl Friedrich Rellstab (1759–1813) was a German composer, writer, music publisher, and critic living in Berlin. Rellstab was a very influential figure in Berlin's musical life. In his youth he studied keyboard with Johann Friedrich Agricola (a student of JSB) and composition with Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch. He planned to continue his education with CPE Bach in Hamburg, when in 1779 he had to take over the printing business of his father. Given his interest in music, Rellstab changed the focus of the business towards music and added a music lending library (in 1783) and a music publishing branch to the firm. Being not successful in printing and publishing, Rellstab changed his business later and made instruments, sold other music supplies and worked as a music teacher.

Rellstab's compositions include a Te Deum, a mass, numerous cantatas, lieder, and a singspiel. Furthermore, he published the “Anleitung für Clavierspieler, den Gebrauch der Bach’schen Fingersätze, die Manieren und den Vortrag betreffend” and also an edition of CPE Bach’s six organ sonatas which informs us on the performance practice of his time, e.g. pedaling.

This sonata is his only composition for organ, certainly under the influence of CPE Bach’s six sonatas. The first movement is a real winner – energetic and joyful. What a pity that Rellstab could not continue his musical studies and that he left only one piece for organ.