12 Characteristic Pieces Op 156 - nr 12 Marcia Funebre

Josef Rheinberger 1839 - 1901 was a German organist and composer born in Vaduz, Lichtenstein. He was appointed Royal Professor of organ and composition at the Munich Conservatorium, a post he held until his death. He was influenced by contemporaries such as Johannes Brahms to composers from earlier times, such as Franz Schubert and Johann Sebastian Bach. Although he was a prolific composer and wrote for various ensembles, he is most well-known for his organ works of which is said that they are "undoubtedly the most valuable addition to organ music since the time of Mendelssohn. They are characterized by a happy blending of the modern Romantic spirit with masterly counterpoint and dignified organ style". I feel it is sad that his work is not performed more often and often seems to be limited to his most famous Cantilena. For that reason I submitted here the entire 12 Characteristic Pieces Op. 156 each having a different atmosphere.

Nr 12 Marcia Funebre shows that Rheinberger has a sense of humor. This slow march has some very dramatic and funny turning points. Here you can also notice the large influence of Mendelssohn, the middle part looks like having been copied out of one of his Sonates. But in a way it reminds me also of the music of Gustav Mahler. This work in strictly A-B-A form is the finale of these 12 Characteristic Pieces.