In 1980, Gerald Woehl, a renowned German organ builder and instrument restorer, discovered a magnificent Italian Baroque organ in Florence, where it was on the verge of being sold as furniture. Twenty-five years later, the instrument has taken its place as the only full-size antique Italian organ in North America. Now owned by the Eastman School of Music, the fully restored and thoroughly documented organ now fills the Gallery’s Fountain Court with the sounds of the past.
Below, William Porter, Professor of Organ at the Eastman School of Music performs an excerpt from “Pavane Prymera”, a 16th century composition whose author is unknown.
Video: Matthew Mann | Video Producer, Communications | University of Rochester
As beautiful, authentic sounds fill the Fountain Court, the work of period artists is a feast for the eyes as well. The organ—with its 600 pipes and lavishly carved, painted, and gilded 22-foot case—is the centerpiece of an installation that highlights over 30 major Baroque paintings and sculptures from the museum’s permanent collection.
The museum’s latest baroque acquisition, Luca Giordano’s monumental altarpiece The Entombment (1650-1653) is a powerful addition to this unique collaboration between the Eastman School of Music and the Memorial Art Gallery, both divisions of the University of Rochester. The Eastman organ, surrounded by major works of art from the Baroque period, immerses audience members and museum visitors alike in the rich and dramatic visual and musical culture of 17th- and 18th-century Europe.
View artwork on display in the Fountain Court
Each Sunday students from the Eastman School of Music give 25-minute mini-recitals at 1:30 and 3 pm (included in museum admission). This working historic instrument reflects not only the art, architecture, and science of Baroque Italy but the musical and religious culture as well.
Once a month from October to May, the organ is featured in Third Thursday evening showcase concerts with the Eastman School. Concerts are offered free with museum admission.
For details of upcoming organ recitals and concerts, check the museum’s online events calendar.
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 1: Girolamo Frescobaldi (1532-1643), beginning of the Toccata Quarta, from Il secondo libro di toccate, 1627, performed by Hans Davidsson
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 2: Girolamo Frescobaldi (1532-1643), excerpt from the Bergamasca, from Fiori musicali, 1635, performed by Hans Davidsson
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 3: Michelangelo Rossi (1601/2-1656), beginning of the Toccata Quarta, from Toccate e correnti d’intavolatura d’organo e cembalo, ca. 1634, performed by Hans Davidsson
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 4: Michelangelo Rossi (1601/2-1656), beginning of the Toccata Settima, from Toccate e correnti d’intavolatura d’organo e cembalo, ca. 1634, performed by Hans Davidsson
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 5: Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726), beginning of the Al Post Communio from Sonate d’intavolatura, 1716, performed by David Higgs
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 6: Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726), excerpt from the Pastorale from Sonate d’intavolatura, 1716, performed by David Higgs
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 7: Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), beginning of the Sonata in C Major (K255), performed by David Higgs
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 8: Giuseppe Gherardeschi (1759-1815), excerpt from Sonata per organo a guisa di banda militare che suona una marcia, performed by David Higgs
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 9: Paolo Quagliati (ca. 1637-1710), beginning of Canzon II from Toccata dell’Ottavo tuono, 1593, performed by William Porter
Eastman Italian Baroque Organ – Excerpt 10: Bernardo Pasquini (1637-1710), excerpt from Recercare con la fuga in pi modi, performed by William Porter
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 1: Excerpt from Gregorio Strozzi’s Capriccio primo con partite sopra ut Re Mi Fa Sol La, performed by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany An Allegory of Hearing, a 16th-century Italian painting.
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 2: Excerpt from Girolamo Frescobaldi’s Toccata II per L’Elevatione, Op. 10, no.3, performed by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany Luca Giordano’s painting of The Entombment.
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 3: Excerpt from Bernardo Pasquini’s Partite diverse di Follia, performed by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany painting of Roman Ruins with Card Players (School of Jan Both).
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 4: Excerpt from Largo from Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto “La Notte,” Op. 10, no. 3, performed by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany Allesandro Magnasco’s painting The Exorcism of the Waves.
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 5: Excerpt from Minuet from Giovanni Benedetto Platti’s Sonata III, Op. 2, performed by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany Francesco Guardi’s painting of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice.
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 6: Excerpt from Allegro from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto in C, BMV 976, performed by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany William James’ painting of The Riva degli Schiavonni, Venice, Looking West.
Promenade: A Musical Procession through Paintings at Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York – Excerpt 7: Excerpt from Promenade VII, improvised by Edoardo Bellotti on the Italian Baroque Organ, to accompany Bernardo Strozzi’s painting of Two Musicians.
