20170804 161544 Ricercar of the 12th Tone Gabrieli

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This is me playing the Ricercar del duodecimo tono of Andrea Gabrieli (1533-1585). This piece was, as far as I know, originally written for lute. But it has been transcribed for organ (or harpsichord) in the early music anthology I use for church services. The piece is joyful yet reverent, and can be played with a quiet registration on the organ for Communion on a special feast day. I played this piece during Communion on August 6, 2017, the Feast of the Transfiguration, at both of the Sunday morning Masses at the Church of the Holy Nativity. I hope that all who view this video enjoy this piece!

The registration is done, to an extent, in imitation of Renaissance instrumentation, though not necessarily in imitation of Renaissance organs. In my view, many of the Renaissance organs are wonderful instruments, but deficient in variety of stops. So, I chose a mild registration with the 8" Chimney Flute on the Great and the 8" Bourdon plus a 2" Principal on the Swell, which is always coupled to the Positiv on the Holy Nativity organ because the Positiv is incomplete and doesn't have stops yet, and more importantly because it's uncomfortable for me to reach up to the Swell with my small arms.