The “Sonata eroïca”, the organ work that was to become his compositional hallmark, was written by Joseph Jongen (1873–1953) in probably just five days between 18 and 25 September 1930. He evidently composed his opus 94 from beginning to end with precise foresight of the respective steps, as the extremely neatly written autograph indicates. Composed as a commission for the inauguration of the new Stevens organ for the Brussels Palace of Fine Arts, the “Sonata” is probably his best-known work today and is included in the third volume of this edition.

Similar to César Franck, who was also born in Liège, Jongen found a recognisable musical language in his oeuvre, which is characterised, among other things, by harmonic colourfulness, references to chorale singing and Walloon folklore.

Jongen’s organ works include compositions of varying degrees of difficulty, from simpler pieces notated on two systems to virtuoso works for the professional organist.

This first Urtext edition which is also the first complete edition of Jongen’s organ and harmonium works presents the compositions in three volumes, arranged chronologically. The edition includes a Foreword (Eng/Ger) with notes on performance practice and a Critical Commentary (Eng).

Preface

Quatre pièces op. 37
Cantabile Nr. 1 op. 37
Improvisation-Caprice Nr. 2 op. 37
Prière Nr. 3 op. 37
Choral Nr. 4 op. 37
Deux pièces pour orgue / Trois pièces faciles op. 38
Marche religieuse Nr. 1 op. 38
Larghetto Nr. 2 op. 38
Cantabile Nr. 3 op. 38
Marche Nr. 4 op. 38
Pastorale Nr. 5 op. 38
Offertoire sur l’Alma Redemptoris Mater W. 169
Deux pièces pour orgue op. 47
Prélude élégiaque Nr. 1 op. 47
Pensée d’automne Nr. 2 op. 47
Deux pièces pour orgue op. 53
Chant de May Nr. 1 op. 53
Menuet-Scherzo Nr. 2 op. 53
Appendix 1: Offertoire sur l’Alma Redemptoris Mater W. 169

Appendix 2: Prélude funèbre W. 177.
Appendix 3: Menuet-Scherzo bars 188–201 ossias

Glossary
Critical Commentary