Eberhard Kraus Sheet Music

About Eberhard Kraus

Eberhard Kraus (1931-2003) was a distinguished German organist, harpsichordist, and composer, recognized for his significant contributions to church music, chamber music, and his role as a prominent interpreter and educator. As the long-serving cathedral organist at St. Peter's Cathedral in Regensburg, he shaped the musical landscape of the region for decades, blending a deep respect for historical performance practices with an openness to contemporary compositional techniques. His legacy encompasses a vast body of compositions, extensive concert activity, and considerable scholarly work, cementing his place as a pivotal figure in 20th-century German sacred and classical music.

  • Eberhard Kraus served as the cathedral organist at Dom St. Peter in Regensburg from 1964 to 1996.
  • He founded the "Sonntägliche Orgelstunden" (Sunday Organ Hours) in Regensburg's Minoritenkirche in 1952, a concert series he oversaw for over 50 years, presenting more than 1,000 concerts.
  • Kraus was a prolific composer, with his compositional output encompassing over 300 works, primarily in chamber and church music, some of which incorporated the twelve-tone system.
  • Beyond his performance and compositional work, he was also an esteemed musicologist, responsible for collections of early music and author of books and publications on organ-related issues.

Performing the music of Eberhard Kraus offers a rich and rewarding experience, particularly for organists, harpsichordists, and chamber ensembles. His extensive repertoire, rooted in church music but also exploring diverse chamber settings, provides ample opportunities for musicians from intermediate to advanced skill levels. His compositions, which sometimes employed the twelve-tone system alongside more traditional forms, present an engaging challenge for those interested in exploring a composer who bridged historical reverence with modern innovation. Players will find deep musicality and expressive potential in his works, making them a fulfilling addition to any performer's repertoire, especially those dedicated to the organ and sacred music.

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