Tarquinio Merula's organ music is highly innovative, using notes like A flat, D sharp, and A sharp, which were rarely found on 16th and 17th-century organs.
Composer Biography
Tarquinio Merula, born in 1595, spent the primary center of his career in Cremona, the future hometown of Giuseppe Verdi.
Instruments
The Antegnati organ in the Basilica of Santa Barbara in Mantua, built in 1565, was restored in 2006 to include its original pitch, quarter-comma mesotonic temperament, and split sharp keys.
Composer Biography
Tarquinio Merula's career took an international turn when he was employed as a court musician by Sigismund III Vasa, the king of Poland, from 1622-1625.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Music historians often cite Tarquinio Merula as one of the most progressive composers of his time, due to his musical style, diverse text settings, and formal layouts.
Recording & Production
This recording uses the legendary Antegnati instrument from Mantua for solo organ pieces and a modern instrument, Emiliano, built in 2021-2022, for ensemble pieces.
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