Fischer & Kerll: Arp-Schnitger Organ of the Monastery of Moreira de Maia

Fischer, Johann Caspar Ferdinand, Kerll, Johann Caspar

Soares, Rui Fernando

96412

Arp Schnitger (1648 -1719) was probably the greatest and most influential German organ builder. He firstly built in Northern Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Germany, but some of his organs can also be found in Portugal, Brazil, England, Russia and Spain. In 1853-54, Siwert Meijer, organist in Groningen (Netherlands), wrote that according to Arp Schnitger’s original manuscripts, in 1701 Schnitger had sent two new organs to Portugal, each with 12 registration, two keyboards and a bellow, their destination however being unknown. Finally, around 1986-87, one of these “two organs”, was found in Moreira, and was later restored by the German master organ maker Georg Jann.

On this new recording we hear this “lost and found” instrument in its full glory in repertoire from its time of origin by two masters of the North German organ school: Johann Kaspar Ferdinand Fischer (1656-1746) and Johann Caspar Kerll (1627-1693).

Rui Fernando Soares is one of the foremost keyboard players of Portugal. In 2008 he attended at the International Organ Festival of Haarlem (Netherlands) where he worked with Prof. Bernard Winsemius. In 2012 he concluded his Master's degree in Early Music at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with a “Cum Laude” distinction. There he studied organ Prof. Pieter Van Dijk and harpsichord with Prof. Tileman Gay. At the same time, he studied under the guidance of Prof. Ton Koopman.

The disposition and technical specifications of the organ are included in the booklet.

CD x 1

Brilliant Classics

11.01.2022

5028421964126