- Luigi Picchi (1899-1970) was an Italian composer and organist known for his remarkable contributions to organ music. His works encompass a wide range of styles and genres, reflecting his deep understanding of the instrument and his ability to blend traditional techniques with modern harmonies.
- Picchi's organ works are characterized by their rich tonal palette, virtuosic passages, and profound emotional depth. He possessed a keen sense of musical architecture, employing intricate counterpoint and skillful manipulation of registration to create awe-inspiring compositions. His works often explore the full capabilities of the organ, utilizing its vast range of timbres and dynamics to evoke a wide range of moods and emotions.
- One of Picchi's notable achievements was his ability to seamlessly incorporate elements of Italian baroque and classical traditions into his compositions, while also embracing the innovations of the 20th century. His music often features elaborate ornamentation, dramatic gestures, and powerful chordal progressions reminiscent of the great organ masters of the past, yet he infuses them with a distinctive harmonic language and rhythmic complexity that reflects his own artistic voice.
- Throughout his career, Picchi composed numerous organ works, including preludes, fugues, toccatas, and chorale variations.
- On this new recording Italian organist Paolo Bottini plays the Carlo Vegezzi-Bossi organ (1901) in the Barozzi Hall of Istituti dei Chiechi, Milan, Italy. This magnificent instrument is undoubtedly one of the most perfect, complete and intact examples (without stylistic alterations) of a great Italian romantic/symphonic organ of the early twentieth century, the golden age of the evolution of this instrument in Italy. The organ’s full specifications are included in the booklet.
