Speth: Ars Magna Consoni et Dissoni, Music for Organ

Featuring

Chiara Minali
Letizia Butterin
Johannes Speth

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Instruments

The organ used for this recording was built in 2011 for the Parish Church of S. Maria Assunta in Cavalese, using the surviving case and pipes from an earlier 1731-32 organ by Joseph Balthasar Humpel.

Composition History

Johann Speth, the composer, secured his organist position at Augsburg Cathedral in 1692 by submitting his 'Ars magna consoni et dissoni' as part of his application.

Compositional Technique

Speth's 'Ars magna consoni et dissoni' is divided into three parts: ten toccatas, eight Magnificats, and three series of variations.

Performer Biography

Letizia Butterin, who performs the Gregorian chant, has recorded 45 albums for various labels and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Italian Santa Cecilia Association.

Composer Biography

Very little is known about the life of Johann Speth, the composer, before his appointment at Augsburg Cathedral, and even the exact date of his death is uncertain.

Compositional Technique

The work by Johann Speth shows influences from Italian composers like Bernardo Paquini, Bernardo Storace, and Alessandro Poglietti, as well as southern German composers Georg Muffat and Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer.

Interpretation

The Magnificats in Speth's work can be performed in 'Alternatim' style, where organ verses alternate with Gregorian chant sung by a choir or soloist, reflecting historical religious practice.