Johann Joseph Fux

Kapellmeister at the Hapsburg court, Fux's legacy rests upon his highly influential composition manual Gradus ad Parnassum.
We hope that our publications reveal him to be more than a stuffy old contrapuntalist!

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Benedixisti (Offertorium for 3rd Sunday in Advent)

Fux's setting of Psalm 84, Verse 2, Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam, would have been heard after the Credo of a Viennese mass in the early 18th century. These settings of the Proper of the Mass were popular throughout the period. In spite of the contrapuntal skill for which the composer was justly celebrated being very much in evidence, Fux's gift for conveying the sentiment of the texts ensures that these pieces retain a very human quality.
Edited by Brian Clark.
8pp.
Scoring: SATB without instruments or continuo.

Qui sedes Domine (Gradual for 3rd Sunday in Advent)

Setting verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 79, this four-part gradual was intended for performace within the context of a full mass (after the Gloria), where its a cappella simplicity would have contrasted dramatically with the rich sounds of a Viennese orchestra.
Edited by Brian Clark.
8pp.
Scoring: SATB without instruments or continuo.

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Laudate, pueri, Dominum

This fine psalm setting survives as a set of parts at the University Library, Darmstadt. The two viola parts are not mentioned on the title-page, but they make the texture richer and there is no reason not to include them. Sometimes thought of as quite a dry composer, this piece shows Fux to be anything but!
Edited by Brian Clark.
8pp.
Scoring: ATB, 2 violins, 2 violas and continuo.

Sonata in G minor

This sonata for two violas da gamba and continuo is unusual in that each of the three movements is in strict canon between the upper parts. Fux, of course, was the consumate master of counterpoint, so this was possibly just an ordinary afternoon's work.
Edited by Brian Clark.
8pp.