Some time ago my son came across a very short, but intriguing piece by a composer named simply as "L. Battmann" in one of David Sangers’ organ tutors.

This piece lends itself well to improvisation, but always sounds to me as if it should be much longer; or is perhaps a prelude to a much bigger work. The final few chords also remind me very much of Beethoven, especially when played on the piano.

I have searched the web, including Wiki, but apart from a collection of Magnificats by the same composer I cannot find any other information.

Does anyone here know anything more about Mr Battmann or his music?

SB

Why not contact David Sanger ?

www.davidsanger.co.uk

I am tempted to say good thinking Battmann, but I won't.

Its probably our best chance anyhow.

SB

John Henderson's A Directory of Organ Composers has a paragraph on him (of course!) The gist is as follows.

The French composer Jacques Louis Battmann was born in Masevaux, Alsace on 25 Aug 1818 and died in Dijon on 7 Jul 1886. He was organist of Belfort, Vesoul and Dijon. He published 456 Opp. and also wrote teaching manuals and music for schools. Henderson gives a list of his organ works - there are quite a lot. Many examples of his organ music were included in late nineteenth-century anthologies.

Thank you. My searches didn't unearth that directory, but the information is interesting, and makes a lot of sense.

I wonder what has happened to Battmann's music, and whether it is still in print. I have seen a collection of Magnificats listed on a couple of sites, but nothing else.

I will try an e-mail to David Sanger anyhow to see if he knows more.

Thanks again.

SB