Fantasia magica (2019)

Hartwig Barte-Hanssen (b. 1961) — Fantasia magica (2019) for organ

1) La lilla witch di Bagdad
2) Soluppgång in the noche
3) De kleine Heks verzaubert sich in love
4) Wszystko jinxed

“Fantasia magica” (2019) was written for Carson Cooman in the summer of 2019. Bearing the enigmatic opus number “sorcery 2-1-7-4-1-4” and subtitled “The Little Witch,” the piece is inspired by the composer’s imaginings about this character. The “mixed-up” movement titles (which blend different languages together and are thus not directly translatable) and opus number reflect the fantastical/magical character that he seeks to portray in the music. The composer does not provide a direct program for the piece, so it is left to the listener’s imagination. The musical theme for the main character can be heard quoted in each movement (fast, staccato music played on a Krummhorn and Quinte.)

German composer and organist Hartwig Barte-Hanssen (b. 1961) studied at the University of Hamburg where his teachers in music included Rose Kim, Eberhard Müller, and György Ligeti. He has appeared as a concert organist throughout Europe and serves as organist and choirmaster at St. Bartholomew in Wilster. Barte-Hanssen has composed works in varied genres including solo and chamber works and a number of cantatas and oratorios.