UNED News
XXII MADRID INTERNATIONAL ORGAN WEEK
MUSIC FOR SPIRITUALITY
St. Manuel and St. Benito Church,
located on the edge of El Retiro Park,
right in the heart of Salamanca district,
has become, once again, a unique scenario
for the International Organ Week in Madrid.
For five days, this has been its music.
[music playing]
The public witnessed the genesis of this music,
played by the organist
with the participation
of all four limps, on a screen fixed by the UNED,
next to the main altar, in this church.
[music playing]
This has been one of the changes
of the International Organ Week in Madrid.
His founder was,
twenty-two years ago now,
Father Domingo Losada,
organist at St. Manuel and St. Benito’s since 1966.
[music playing]
I feel it is a special occasion,
a musical and cultural event this time.
The most important event here in Madrid.
There is nothing similar.
There are some things in other churches.
Some concerts occasionally.
Some in the auditorium, but right now
they've somewhat fallen into decline
due to their organization and number. So, here we have
some permanent stuff, every year it receives
the warmest of welcomes.
[music playing]
It has been wonderful. We’re regulars
of the concert, wonderful.
I’ve been a regular for years. Always, very good musicians.
Virtuosos of the organ like Robert Pau,
Luciano Ceca, Clemen Ganz, and Guy Bovet
have traveled here from their countries,
Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, to join this edition.
[music playing]
Spain was represented by Father Losada
with his latest opus: "Battle in the old style".
His third piece for organ,
which he composed in July last year.
[music playing]
Saying “in the old style” is an attempt to imitate
or collect, so to speak, that name,
very common in Spanish musical compositions,
used to call some of these pieces "Battle".
To describe a battle with a huge army
amid the roar of guns, bombs and all that stuff.
To create another kind of battle, a sonorous one.
From a sonorous battle to a rhythmic cadence of spirituality,
with varied repertoires,
exhibiting tones associated with religion.
It is a very profound music,
very much associated with religion and the Church.
An art to represent intimacy
which is wonderful.
[music playing]
This is the effect produced by the music
that emanates from one of the best organs in Madrid.
It has been playing for nearly a century
at concerts and series of concerts
every month of the year.
I remember that organ concerts
were unthinkable.
I was the first to begin this
at least here in Madrid.
Other churches have organized some.
They're also calling me and other organists
from many capital cities and villages.
We're organizing some on fiestas or similar events.
We can see quite a few organ concerts.
Besides, many people are attending organ lessons.
Even women!
This was kind of banned before
or at least it didn't seem to take off.
The organ is adapting itself to the new times.
Its notes evoke the divine
and make the sublime accessible
to all those eager to enjoy good music.
[music playing]
[applause]