A Spanish treasure in Bologna: the 1688 Sesma organ at the Royal College of Spain
Ever since Karlskoga Parish acquired in 2019 a precious 18th century Neapolitan positive organ, I have been committed to presenting the instrument with various musical programs. Iberian organ music from the 16th and 17th century is among my favorite repertoire to perform at the Neapolitan organ. Given numerous general stylistic similarities between Iberian and Italian organs during this period, the selected Iberian music performed and recorded in Karlskoga sounds convincing and relatively close to the original sound ideal, even though I wished to try this repertoire on an authentic Spanish organ to compare the points in common and the differences between the two instruments for a closer historically informed performance. I visited many cities in Spain in 2005 and a few famous cathedrals housing historical organs, but I didn't get the chance to try any of the organs I visited at that time. The opportunity to play an authentic Spanish organ from the 17th century arose during my annua...
