History of the Organ

The organ is one of the oldest, most complex and most glorious musical instruments known to men. This four part series outlines the history of this magnificent instrument, ranging from the beauty of the sound to the wealth of music written for it, and encompassing not only the craftsmanship involved in building such a complicated (and often ornate) structure, but also the wonderful settings in which these instruments now reside. DVD1: LATIN ORIGINS It encompasses the classical sobriety of the Italian Style, the Golden Age of the organ in sixteenth-century Spain and the French style of the eighteenth century. DVD2: FROM SWEELINCK TO BACH This episode looks at the development of the organ during the 17th and 18th centuries, focusing on exceptional composers of organ music from Sweelinck, the 'maker of organists', through to Buxtehude, and the 'golden age' of J.S. Bach. DVD3: THE GOLDEN AGE This episode focuses on the first half of the eighteenth century - the Golden Age of organ music. DVD4: THE MODERN AGE Tracing the organ's development, from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present day.