Joseph Martin Kraus (1756−1792)

Sorgemusik över Gustav III. I. Bisättningsmusik c-moll (Symphonie funèbre) [Funeral music for Gustav III. I. C minor (Symphonie funèbre)]

VB 148

Print

I. Andante mesto
II. Larghetto
III. Chorale
IV. Adagio - Andante mesto

  • Year of composition: April 1792 (according to Monumenta Musicae Svecicae: 9)
  • Work category: Symphony
  • First performed: 13 April 1792 in the Riddarholmen Church, Stockholm
  • Duration: Approx. 15-20 min
  • Detailed duration: 18'50 (according to Musica Sveciae MSCD 416)

Instrumentation

0.2.2.2 / 4.2.0.0 / timp, (cont) / str

[The score in Monumenta Musicae Svecicae: 9 suggests '2 Tromba', as does the part material (handwritten manuscript) at Musik- och teaterbiblioteket, but the booklet accompanying Musica Sveciae MSCD 416 writes 'trombones'.]

Examples of printed editions

Monumenta Musicae Svecicae: 9, Edition Reimers ER 40090

Location for score and part material

Transcription at Musik- och teaterbiblioteket: O/Sv-R MUSIQUE vid Kon. Gustaf den III:jes Bisättning den 13. April 1792 Af Kungl. Capellmästaren Joseph Kraus [O/Sv-R MUSIQUE for the funeral of King Gustav III on 13 April, 1792 by Royal Kapellmeister Joseph Kraus] (copy made by Frigel)

  • Possible call no. and autograph comment: Autograph lost

Literature

van Boer Jr, Bertil H: Die Werke von Joseph Martin Kraus. Systematisch-thematisches Werkverzeichnis, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music series no. 56, Stockholm (1988); an updated edition in English with a partly revised VB-numbering was published in 1998 by Pendragon Press under the title Joseph Martin Kraus. A Systematic-Thematic Catalogue of His Musical Works and Source Study (the numbering of this work is however unchanged).
Monumenta Musicae Svecicae: 9 and the booklet accompanying Musica Sveciae MSCD 416.

Description of work

I. Andante mesto C minor 4/4 (C)
II. Larghetto F minor 3/8
III. Chorale -flat major 4/4 (C)
IV. Adagio - Andante mesto C minor (- C major) 4/4 (C)

Links

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Work comment

According to van Boer, the movements were performed individually during the funeral.

Kraus writes in a letter to Abraham Clewberg-Edelcrantz (according to van Boer, probably before 5 May): The music opens with an Entrata which continues until the King and the Court have taken their seats. After this, the first part of the actual Burial Cantata begins, and it has to be performed without interruption ... After the burial and the psalm sung during the same, the second part of the music will be performed, and this part must, as the first one, continue until the end, without interruption. After this follows the Prayer, the Blessing, the Psalm and finally, exit music.

See the registration of Kraus's vidare registreringen av Kraus Sorgemusik över Gustav III. II. Begravningskantat [Funeral music for Gustav III. II. Funeral cantata] VB 42 (tidigare VB 41; see below)

Media files

Edition Swedish Musical Heritage