Marco Ruggeri - Polibio Fumagalli: Organ Music (2017)

Polibio Fumagalli (1830‐1900) was one of the most important exponents of 19th century Italian organ music. He held important posts in Milan, as organ teacher at the Conservatory and organist of the S. Celso he was in close contact and collaboration with the famous organ builder Giuseppe Bernasconi, which whom he helped developing the “symphonic” or “orchestra” organ, its registers imitating orchestral instruments.

This new recording presents two of Fumagalli’s organ sonatas, in classical/romantic style, as well as the complete cycle “Ascetica Musicale”, character pieces of great charm and lyricism, using the full potential of the “orchestra’ organ.

Played with great imagination by Italian organist Marco Ruggeri on two historical Bernasconi organs, built in resp. 1885 and 1892, the specifications of which are included in the booklet. Ruggeri already proved his affinity with this repertoire in recordings for Brilliant Classics of works by Morandi (BC95333) and Petrali (BC95160).