Julius Reubke

A piano student of Kullak at the Berlin Conservatory, Reubke was well respected for his organ playing abilities as well. He taught at the Conservatory for a brief time and then went to Weimar in 1856 becoming acquainted with Liszt and becoming one of his pupils. By this time Reubke had already published an organ Trio in E-flat for two manuals and pedals (1851). He now composed his most important works, an Organ Sonata in C-minor and a Piano Sonata in B-flat minor. The latter explores a multithematic device in one movement while the former, based on Psalm Ninety Four, contains one theme explored through a fantasia, adagio and fugue. These works are both performed, studied and edited today. One must reflect on what other accomplishments Reubke might have achieved had he lived beyond twenty two four years. ~ Keith Johnson