Gurlitt, Cornelius : Album für die Jugend In der Kirche
Work Overview
Genre:for children
Copyright:Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Kumamoto, Ryohei
Last Updated: May 30, 2025
[Open]
Author : Kumamoto, Ryohei
The Prelude and Chorale are distinct works, lacking direct motivic or thematic connections. Both are in the key of G major.
Prelude
The Prelude is in a single-part form:
- a (measures 1-4) + a1 (measures 5-8)
The Prelude is structured by an ascending dominant phrase spanning four measures, followed by a descending phrase that leads to a perfect authentic cadence. In measure 7, it chromatically descends from a secondary dominant of a non-diatonic chord to a dominant seventh chord, concluding the piece. Compared to the Chorale, the Prelude is predominantly characterized by eighth notes, resulting in a more active musical texture.
Chorale
The Chorale is in a two-part (binary) form:
- A [a (measures 1-4) + a1 (measures 5-8)]
- B [b (measures 9-12) + c (measures 13-16)]
- Coda (measures 17-21)
The Chorale features a plagal cadence with a fermata in measure 4, creating a distinctly chorale-like atmosphere. In section B, it modulates to A minor, reaching a deceptive cadence in measure 12. These types of cadences, characteristic of the Baroque era, evoke a religious connotation.