March 17 - Josef Rheinberger (The Musical Birthday Series)

Josef Rheinberger (17 March 1839- 25 November 1901) wrote works that are still part of the academic and concert organist's repertoire.  Critical opinion varies.

Josef Rheinberger: Hear Today, Agon Tomorrow

Minor composers

Are often forgotten

Unless they have written

Repetoire which

Fills up a void by

Plugging a slot in

An otherwise vacant

Programming niche.

Chances are Rheinberger

Thought he had got in

By writing for organ

At fever pitch,

And so it’s a pity

His Orgel-Sonaten

Are often remembered

As noisy kitsch.



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