Bergamo: Musica d'organo per la liturgia e per il concerto

Featuring

Marco Ruggeri
Davide da Bergamo

Did you know?

1/7

Composer Biography

Padre Davide da Bergamo, born Felice Moretti, destroyed most of his personal documents, including letters and organ designs, due to 'exaggerated Franciscan modesty'.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Padre Davide da Bergamo's organ music often uses the 'modern' organ to imitate orchestral effects, especially in pieces for solemn liturgical occasions or concert repertoire.

Historical Context

Padre Davide da Bergamo was considered the greatest and most celebrated Italian organist of the Risorgimento period, sharing this honor only later with Vincenzo Petrali.

Composer Biography

Padre Davide da Bergamo was offered honorary citizenship by the Republic of San Marino after testing a new organ there, but he declined, stating his only desire was to be 'a citizen of heaven'.

Instruments

The Serassi organ was designed to allow for realistic reproduction of orchestral effects, including crescendos, diminuendos, percussion strikes, and echo effects, through its two keyboards and numerous stops.

Instruments

The Serassi organ at S. Maria di Campagna, used for this recording, was custom-built for Padre Davide da Bergamo, with significant expansions in 1825 and 1838 to meet his musical demands.

Compositional Technique

Padre Davide da Bergamo composed organ program music, a unique occurrence in the 19th century, with works like 'Sanguinose giornate di marzo' describing historical events.