Sonata No 3 Op 19 Mvt 2. Larghetto.

Born: 09 August 1831
Died: 05 September 1911
Chrsitian Finck was born in Dettingen/Würtemberg.

Christian Fink was regarded, during his lifetime, as ‘Swabia’s most significant musical artist of his era’. However, unlike his great contemporaries Josef Rheinberger and Gustav Merkel, the names most associated with the genre of the organ sonata in Germany, his music seems to have gained no currency outside his native country. During his career he received the highest public awards, was co-editor of the journal Euterpe and was highly respected as a composer, pedagogue and conductor. For almost 50 years, he shaped cultural life in the city of Esslingen as well as directing institutional musical life in Württemberg. In his field he seems to have been of national importance yet, within 20 years of his death, his works were almost completely forgotten.

In style the music seems to occupy a place between Mendelssohn and Max Reger. This Sonata is very much like the Sixth organ sonata of Mendelssohn. Like them, Fink often uses chorale melodies in his organ music. Given the rigorous training he received, it is not surprising to find that the workmanship is of the highest standard with an imaginative use of his thematic material. Fink does not appear to have been an innovator, but was content to work within the stylistic and aesthetic norms of his time. This is not a criticism; there much here to enjoy and the 4 young players who divide the music between them play it with great skill and affection. A forgotten talent well worth exploring.

His main output was choral music but there is much organ music too including:
5 sonatas, 2 fantasies (and a double fugue), 5 preludes (and a fugue), 30 chorale preludes and about 100 free recital pieces.

Score attached below and playlst of 3 works.