#10 Julius Reubke: the two sonatas

Alma Bettencourt, organist and pianist

As a pianist and organist with a passion for Romantic music, I recently discovered the work of Reubke, in particular his Piano Sonata in B♭ minor (1857) and his Organ Sonata in C minor “Psalm 94” (1857). The latter is influenced by Liszt’s Fantasy and Fugue on “Ad nos ad salutarem undam”, premiered in 1852.

These two exciting works have so much in common that I have chosen to bring them together on a single recording. In addition to the influence of Liszt and Wagner (Reubke attended a performance of Tannhäuser conducted by Liszt in Berlin in 1856), there are clear thematic links between the two sonatas. What characterizes them above all is the orchestral vision that the composer imposes on his writing: while the piano is a naturally expressive instrument, the organ is far less so. And yet, these two sonatas manage to make us forget the keyboards for good.

Recorded December 8-10, 2024 on the Grand Orgue Cavaillé-Coll in Toulouse’s Basilique Saint-Sernin, and December 19-20, 2024 in the recording studio of the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France.
In partnership with the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.

Prochains concerts

03 Jun
2025
London (United-Kingdom), St.George’s Hanover Square church
14 Jun
2025
Paris, Cité de la Musique with François Chat. Show « Métamorphoses »
15 Jun
2025
Paris, Cité de la Musique with François Chat. Show « Métamorphoses »
17 Jun
2025
Paris, Saint-Eustache church, Liszt et Leguay
19 Jul
2025
Flayosc, Saint-Laurent Church – Estivales de Flayosc with Chantal De Zeeuw
21 Jul
2025
Fouesnant, Saint-Pierre Church – Lundis de l’Orgue / Cycle « Bach à la plage » with avec Anne Le Coutour
30 Jul
2025
Bordeaux, Sainte-Croix Abbaye Church (Renaissance de l’Orgue in Bordeaux)
31 Jul
2025
Bordeaux, Saint-Michel Basilica (Renaissance de l’Orgue in Bordeaux)
03 Aug
2025
Chambéry, Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, as part of the Summer Organ Recitals
06 Aug
2025
Luchon, Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Church with Martin Jaspard, piano
10 Aug
2025
Troyes, Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul Cathedral
26 Aug
2025
Rocamadour, Saint-Sauveur Basilica – Festival de Rocamadour (18 to 26 august)
Programme

1. Julius Reubke, Piano Sonata in B♭ minor
Allegro maestoso
Andante sostenuto
Allegro assai 

2. Julius Reubke, Organ Sonata in C minor “Psalm 94”
Grave, Larghetto
Allegro con fuoco, Grave
Adagio, Lento
Allegro, Più mosso, Allegro assai