History Of The Organ: Latin Origins To The Modern Age

History Of The Organ: Latin Origins To The Modern Age

Latin Origins

Beginning in the Verona workshop of Bartolomeo Formentelli, this installment of the tetralogy travels through Italy, Spain and France tracing the origins, history and development of the organ. It encompasses the classical sobriety of the Italian Style, the Golden Age of the organ in sixteenth-century Spain and the French style of the eighteenth century.

From Sweelinck to Bach

This installment looks at the development of the organ during the 17th and 18th centuries, focusing on the exceptional composers of organ music from Swkklinck, the 'maker of organists', through to Buxtehude, and the 'golden age' of J.S. Bach. During this time, the organ became increasingly important in religions throughout Europe, thanks to Lutheran reforms in the Church.

The Golden Age

This episode focuses on the first half of the eighteenth century - the Gold Age of organ Music. The Grench and German schools of organ building are explained and illustrated, and the works of Louis Marchand, Jean-Francois Dandrieu and Johann Sebastian Back figure prominently.

The Modern Age

Tracing the organ's development, from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present day, this episode visits France and Switzerland. The impact of changes in society, tastes and musical styles, as well as technological advances, are examined and illustrated with music by Charles-Marie Widor, Max Reger, Cesar Franck, Jehan Alain and Olivier Messiaen.