How does the Pfleger shelf from 1644 sound?
Only two instruments by organ builder Johannes Christophorus Pfleger have survived. Thanks to this CD, they have been documented together on a recording for the first time.
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The enterprising director of the Willisau Musical Instrument Collection, Adrian Steger, and organist Zeno Bianchini have produced a recording that is inconspicuous in appearance, but is a gem for organologists and music historians. Bianchini works in Stockach (Baden-Württemberg). In the Loreto Chapel there is a positive organ by Johannes Christophorus Pfleger (1602-1674). This organ, together with the Pfleger shelf from 1644, which can be seen today in Willisau, is the only surviving instrument by this important organ builder from Radolfzell (Lake Constance) and Thann (Alsace).
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The original surviving shelf was built for the Frauenthal convent (canton of Zug) and, according to a note from 1688 in the diary of Abbess Verena Mattmann, was used to accompany Gregorian chant. The Lucerne instrument collector Heinrich Schumacher (1858-1923) bought the Pfleger shelf from the Cistercian nuns and exhibited it with other musical instruments in hotel halls. The Schumacher collection was later transferred to the Richard Wagner Museum in Tribschen and in 2010 to Willisau. This playable reed instrument from the 17th century has now been documented on a recording for the first time. Bianchini alternates between playing works by Frescobaldi, Ferrini, Froberger, Buxtehude and other Italian and German composers of the 17th century on both instruments.
The shelf was popular in homes and churches four hundred years ago. But our ears first have to get used to the special sound. It expands our idea of pre-baroque music.
"Qui pulchrè hanc calluit artem" - who understands art excellently. Sound portrait of the two surviving organ instruments by Johannes Christophorus Pfleger (1602-1674) from Radolfzell. Zeno Bianchini, organ and shelf. Source of supply: info@musikinstrumentensammlung.ch