Fantasie und Fuge op. 104

Gustav Adolf Merkel (1827-1885) was organist at the Kreuzkirche from 1859 to 1864 and later at the Hofkirche in Dresden. He had at his disposal the Wagner organ (built 1792, expanded and modified by Jehmlich from 1825 onwards) resp. the Silbermann organ from 1754.

It therefore appears likely that a number of Merkel's organ compositions are well suited for performance on baroque organs. I have carried out this “experiment” here with op. 104. Although the piece is declared as a “Fantasie und Fuge,” it contains two connecting interludes. A corresponding structure can also be found in the fantasies of his organ teacher Johann Gottlieb Schneider (1797–1856).

0:00 Allegro con fuoco
2:22 Andante
4:28 Allegro con fuoco
5:06 Più animato (fugue)