Concerts
Organ Concert—Bach & Italy at Basel Cathedral
Italian master organist Roberto Marini makes his debut at Basel Cathedral with works by Bach (Chaconne in D minor, Concerto in A minor), Busoni, Marco Enrico Bossi, and Max Reger’s chorale fantasia “Wachet auf!”
Roberto Marini will perform two masterpieces by Johann Sebastian Bach on the largest and most versatile organ in the region, located in Basel Cathedral. In his Organ Concerto in A minor, BWV 593, Bach created a masterpiece by transposing the virtuoso passages of the original violin piece to the keyboard and musically refining them. The opening Allegro retains its rousing character, the Adagio offers moments of meditative religiosity, and the concluding Allegro is characterized by a rhythmically flowing main theme that alternates with brilliant virtuoso episodes.
The famous Chaconne in D minor from Partita II, BWV 1004, for solo violin was transcribed by the renowned Italian organist Ulisse Matthey (1876–1947). This transcription is characterized by a masterful use of timbres and attests to an intimate knowledge of the instrument.
Ferruccio Busoni was one of the greatest Italian pianists and, at the same time, a significant composer. As a composer, he looked to the future, exploring new stylistic horizons without denying the past. For the organ, he wrote only the highly virtuosic Prelude and Double Fugue, Op. 7/76. The Prelude is based on an ostinato bass. The fugue presents two themes, which are first developed separately and then combined in the finale with a distinct chorale theme in the pedal.
Marco Enrico Bossi is considered one of the most important Italian organ composers. His “Symphonic Etude” is a virtuoso piece of the highest order that particularly showcases the organist’s brilliant pedal technique. The musical material is developed through varied crescendos, modulations, and Italian lyricism. Max Reger’s Fantasy on the chorale “Wachet auf!” from 1900 is a highlight of his oeuvre and combines, in an incomparable way, elements of the symphonic poem, the through-composed Romantic song, and the chorale partita. Fitting for Eternity Sunday, it embodies a moment of deep contemplation and mysticism. Here one senses the anticipation, the mystery, and ultimately the joy of Christ’s Second Coming—already palpable in the very first mysterious chord progressions of the introduction in this brilliant work by the 27-year-old composer. The entire fantasy resembles a ceaseless ascent toward God. The fugue, with its dance-like fugue theme, is brilliant, imbued with penetrating power, and magnificently structured. The concluding, overwhelming entry of the chorale represents humanity’s encounter with Christ, who appears in all His power and glory.
The internationally acclaimed Italian concert organist Roberto Marini is regarded by critics as “one of the greatest organists of our time” (Amadeus 2020) and as one of the most significant interpreters of Max Reger. He studied in Rome with the legendary Fernando Germani. At the Geneva Conservatory, he won the “Premier prix de virtuosité d’orgue” under Lionel Rogg. As a prize winner of various competitions, he has shaped his artistic career through performances of the complete works of Reger and Bach. He performs with great success at major international festivals. His discography includes the complete organ works (17 CDs) of Max Reger (Brilliant Classics) as well as those of Duruflé, Schumann, and Brahms. He has made recordings for Vatican Radio, RAI, ARD, and Spain’s RTVE. Roberto Marini is a professor of organ at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome and at the Conservatory in Pescara, where he served as deputy director for many years. He also serves as the titular organist of the beautiful Romanesque cathedral in Teramo (Italy).
Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.
The famous Chaconne in D minor from Partita II, BWV 1004, for solo violin was transcribed by the renowned Italian organist Ulisse Matthey (1876–1947). This transcription is characterized by a masterful use of timbres and attests to an intimate knowledge of the instrument.
Ferruccio Busoni was one of the greatest Italian pianists and, at the same time, a significant composer. As a composer, he looked to the future, exploring new stylistic horizons without denying the past. For the organ, he wrote only the highly virtuosic Prelude and Double Fugue, Op. 7/76. The Prelude is based on an ostinato bass. The fugue presents two themes, which are first developed separately and then combined in the finale with a distinct chorale theme in the pedal.
Marco Enrico Bossi is considered one of the most important Italian organ composers. His “Symphonic Etude” is a virtuoso piece of the highest order that particularly showcases the organist’s brilliant pedal technique. The musical material is developed through varied crescendos, modulations, and Italian lyricism. Max Reger’s Fantasy on the chorale “Wachet auf!” from 1900 is a highlight of his oeuvre and combines, in an incomparable way, elements of the symphonic poem, the through-composed Romantic song, and the chorale partita. Fitting for Eternity Sunday, it embodies a moment of deep contemplation and mysticism. Here one senses the anticipation, the mystery, and ultimately the joy of Christ’s Second Coming—already palpable in the very first mysterious chord progressions of the introduction in this brilliant work by the 27-year-old composer. The entire fantasy resembles a ceaseless ascent toward God. The fugue, with its dance-like fugue theme, is brilliant, imbued with penetrating power, and magnificently structured. The concluding, overwhelming entry of the chorale represents humanity’s encounter with Christ, who appears in all His power and glory.
The internationally acclaimed Italian concert organist Roberto Marini is regarded by critics as “one of the greatest organists of our time” (Amadeus 2020) and as one of the most significant interpreters of Max Reger. He studied in Rome with the legendary Fernando Germani. At the Geneva Conservatory, he won the “Premier prix de virtuosité d’orgue” under Lionel Rogg. As a prize winner of various competitions, he has shaped his artistic career through performances of the complete works of Reger and Bach. He performs with great success at major international festivals. His discography includes the complete organ works (17 CDs) of Max Reger (Brilliant Classics) as well as those of Duruflé, Schumann, and Brahms. He has made recordings for Vatican Radio, RAI, ARD, and Spain’s RTVE. Roberto Marini is a professor of organ at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome and at the Conservatory in Pescara, where he served as deputy director for many years. He also serves as the titular organist of the beautiful Romanesque cathedral in Teramo (Italy).
Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.