Fantasie in f minor Opus 103 - D 940: Transcribed for Organ solo

by Franz Schubert, Eugenio Maria Fagiani (Contributor)

The Fantasia in F minor (Opus. 103 D. 940) by Franz Schubert is a piece originally composed for piano four-hands, in 1828 (from January to March). Premiered on May 9 by the composer himself and Franz Lachner, it was dedicated to the Countess Caroline Esterházy (his pupil). This work is among those that were published after his death by the publishing house of Anton Diabelli, in March 1829. A very interesting article by David Humphries (Something Borrowed, in “The Musical Times” Vol. 138, No. 1853 (Jul., 1997), pp. 19-24, published by Musical Times Publications LTD), gave me the opportunity to look at this score in a much deeper way. In fact the idea that this score is related much more than expected with Mozart’s Fantasia K. 608 (for Mechanical Organ) has become more and more clear. And has suggested me that a possible Organ solo piece, a convincing one, starting from this relations would have been possible. My orchestration for organ, having not a fixed registration, lets the freedon to whom that may be interested on performing it on whatever instrument to explore the different color opportunities that every instrument has. I hope that this piece will also have a new life on the Organ, showing a masterpiece that on our instrument fits marveously.

44 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Franz Peter Schubert (31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras.

Although he died at the age of 31, Schubert was a prolific composer, having written some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies (including the famous "Unfinished Symphony"), liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music.

Appreciation of Schubert's music during his lifetime was limited, but interest in his work increased significantly in the decades following his death. Franz Liszt, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn, among others, discovered and championed his works in the 19th century.

Today, Schubert is seen as one of the leading exponents of the early Romantic era in music and he remains one of the most frequently performed composers.