Marco Enrico Bossi - le premier des organistes

In 19th-century Italy, a powerful movement emerged to reform church music — one that sought to drive the theatrical, operatic style out of sacred spaces and rediscover a sound more fitting for prayer. Musicians and composers turned back to the Baroque, drawing inspiration from the pure, polyphonic traditions of masters like Frescobaldi and Palestrina.

At the same time, Italy’s distinctive organs — designed to emulate the drama of t...

Marco Enrico Bossi maintained close ties abroad throughout his career, driven by a desire to measure the level of Italian organ music against that of other countries. His curiosity and ambition led him to connect with some of France’s most influential musical figures, including César Franck, Théodore Dubois, and Alexandre Guilmant. Through these relationships, Bossi not only found artistic exchange and inspiration, but also gained ...

Marco Enrico Bossi maintained strong ties with Germany and travelled there frequently. One of his most memorable visits was to the opera house in Bayreuth, where he instantly fell under the spell of Richard Wagner’s music. Deeply inspired by this new compositional language, Bossi infused it into one of his most impressive works: the Konzertstück, which he dedicated to the great German organist Karl Straube.

In this episode, we take...

Like the Konzertstück, Bossi’s Opus 132 was published in Germany by Rieter-Biedermann. This collection consists of five symphonic poems for organ, works of such orchestral imagination and scope that some were later arranged for full orchestra.

In this first episode dedicated to Opus 132, Alessandro Urbano introduces the pieces Legende and Trauerzug. You will also hear short excerpts from Stunde der Freude. Alessandro is your host f...

In this second episode dedicated to Opus 132, Alessandro Urbano explores one of the most beautiful works in the set: Ländliche Szene. This enchanting pastoral evokes a peaceful countryside atmosphere and features lyrical solo lines for the oboe and clarinet.

Alessandro then turns to Stunde der Weihe, a piece that creates a mysterious and contemplative mood through the use of chromaticism and refined registration. This work was dedi...

During his concert tour in the United States, Bossi performed not only organ transcriptions but also works for organ and violin. It is worth remembering that Bossi was himself a violinist. His legendary encounter with Marcel Dupré became a moment often recalled in organ history.

Tragically, Bossi died of a cerebral hemorrhage on February 20, 1925, on his return voyage to Europe. A remarkable musical figure was lost far too soon. Ev...