Sonate B-Dur - Hammonia

This work is dedicated to my dear friend Roland Hartnack, who is celebrating his birthday today.

His child and husband both live in the beautiful (cosmopolitan) city of Hamburg, they often meet there and they love Hamburg very much!

I've also been there several times and it's wonderful there, especially in the warmer months ....

Yes, Hammonia is the anthem of Hamburg!

Hammonia is a neo-Latin term for the city of Hamburg. As a figurative allegory in the form of a female figure, Hammonia represents the city of Hamburg (city allegory). As a linguistic allegory in literature, poetry and song lyrics, the name Hammonia represents (as a synonym) the name Hamburg or refers to this female figure.

In addition to the use of the name and its depiction in art, numerous associations, companies and products bear the name and thus demonstrate a connection to Hamburg. Ships, a Kontorhaus in Mönckebergstraße, the Hammonia-Bad at Mundsburg, the Hammonia team in the Hamburg regional football league and the asteroid Hammonia have also been given the name.

Despite the many uses of the name over the centuries up to the present day, the exact origin is unclear, especially as the actual Latin city name in medieval chronicles is usually Hamburgum or Hammaburgum.

The Hamburg anthem Stadt Hamburg an der Elbe Auen, also known as Hammonia, is the anthem of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

The song, which was written in 1828, is also used as the state anthem on official occasions in the city state. Like most other national anthems, however, it is not regulated by law or protected, and therefore has an unofficial legal character. The refrain ends with Hammonia, a Latinised form of the name Hamburg.

As with my last pieces, the sonata is in three parts. The song movement is entirely in the Romantic style, as is the trio, the second part of which is more Baroque in style.
The fugue is very, very expansive and thus provides almost 9 minutes of playing time.

Have fun with this piece!