Preambulum (Prelude and Fugue) in F Major

Vincent Lübeck (c. September 1654 – 9 February 1740) was a German composer and organist. He was born in Padingbüttel and worked as organist and composer at Stade's St. Cosmae et Damiani (1675–1702) and Hamburg's famous St. Nikolai (1702–1740), where he played one of the largest contemporary organs. He enjoyed a remarkably high reputation in his lifetime, and had numerous pupils, among which were two of his sons.

Despite Lübeck's longevity and fame, very few compositions by him survive: a handful of organ praeludia and chorales in the North German style, a few cantatas and several pieces for harpsichord, some of which were published during the composer's lifetime. Of his works, the organ pieces are the most important: influenced by Dieterich Buxtehude and Johann Adam Reincken, Lübeck composed technically and artistically sophisticated works, with frequent virtuosic passages for pedal, five-voice polyphony, and other devices rarely used by most of the composers of the period.

The "Prelude and Fugue in F" is a short and attractive work. My approach was to play the prelude as a sort of "fanfare - overture," and then lighten up the fugue.

While this IS the organ that Lübeck played, scholars question whether it is the organ that he conceived his works for. The "short octave" and "missing low notes" would make some of his writing unplayable on this instrument, unless the works were transposed.

If you have to transpose it, why would you write it for this instrument?!?

The score is attached below, as well as a painting of Vincent Lübeck, and several photos of St. Cosmae et Damiani church in Stade (the organ heard in this sample set). Also included is a photo of the tower of St. Nikolai's Church in Hamburg, the only part to survive the great fire.