'Dona nobis pacem,' Fugue for 4 Voices Hess Anhang 57 (mp3)

"Dona Nobis Pacem," Vocal Fugue Hess Anh. 57.

This lengthy vocal fugue on the liturgical "Dona nobis pacem" (give us peace) apparently dates from about 1795, when Beethoven was studying counterpoint with Albrechtsberger (See Counterpoint Studies for more such fugues). The fugue is for four voices a capella. Because this fugue had been published only by the somewhat unreliable Ignaz Xaver Seyfried (again, see Counterpoint Studies), who assumed various materials in these studies that were actually by Fux and others to be Beethoven's handiwork, Hess was initially of the opinion that this work was doubtfully Beethoven's.

Matthias Gruenewald : Isenheim Altarpiece

Hess thus listed it only in his "Anhang" or Appendix of doubtful and spurious pieces as A57. However, subsequent to Hess issuing his catalog, the autograph of the fugue in Beethoven's own hand was discovered. This fugue is thus believed to be a genuine Beethoven composition, despite the catalog number which might lead some to conclude it is not genuine.

Opus:        
WoO:        
Hess: Anh. 57
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