Sonate A-Dur "Gaudeamus Igitur"

Here again is a somewhat more elaborate composition, a sonata in radiant A major. It is in 3 parts, has a song movement, a trio and a very expansive fugue, which is strictly through-composed. The most beautiful part is the refrain, which is probably familiar to everyone, especially Germans who watched commercials on TV in the 80s (keyword "Berentzen" ;-).

So this composition is based on a melody by Adolf Schlieben, born 1828, died 1896 in Wiesbaden. He was a German cultural historian.
Schlieben took part in the German-Austrian War of 1866 and the German-French War of 1870/71, received the Iron Cross and was promoted to Major in 1872. After the end of his service in 1874, he moved to Wiesbaden, where he was very active in the Verein für Nassauische Altertumskunde und Geschichtsforschung (Association for Nassau Antiquities and Historical Research), of which he was a member of the board until his death.

He earned special merits as a versatile archaeologist, cultural historian and regional historian. His research in these fields led to the publication of numerous essays and monographs such as "Die Pferde des Altertums" (1867) or "Das Schwein in der Kulturgeschichte" (1891). In addition, he was active as a composer. His contribution "Als ich schlummernd lag heut' Nacht" was awarded second prize in the competition for the most beautiful German student songs in 1885.