This fantasie, the second of the fantasies of the Libro secondo 1649, is probably the most poignant of his work in the genre. It is a modal work in the Phrygian mode, a mode that can be quite solemn and dark. The work is in two sections. In each section the primary theme appears against a different countersubject. In the second section the rhythm of the theme is altered so that it appears at shorter note values against a countersubject with yet shorter note values. While Froberger subtly applies his contrapuntal dexterity creating stretto and other contrapuntal tricks, Froberger's skill never leads the work into academicism. In spite of the counterpoint the work is darkly expressive.

© Andrus Madsen, Rovi