Organ Tour - Past Trips
Organ Tour Argentina 2017
February 17-25, 2017
Buenos Aires - Rauch
In February 2017, we traveled to South America for Organ Tour Argentina 2017. After our early morning arrival to Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport, we traveled immediately to the small town of Rauch, home of our coordinator Cristina Ayala de Zudaire. In just two short days in Rauch, we met incredible people and had a chance to share thoughts, ideas, and amazing food during our stay. The tour participants played a concert on the 1923 Balbiani organ at the Church of San Pedro Apóstol After Rauch, we traveled to Buenos Aires where we had the opportunity to see and play the Mutin Cavaillé-Coll organ at the Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento as well as the Walcker organs at San Jose de Calasanz and San Patricio (Mercedes).
Organ Tour Italia 2016
in collaboration with the Well-Tempered Clavier Seminar
June 26 - July 2, 2016
Lake Como - Rome
In 2016, we returned to Lake Como for Organ Tour as well as a workshop dedicated to the Well-Tempered Clavier. Performances opportunities included a concert on the 1988 Mascioni organ at the Chiesa di S. Giorgio, Varenna and a concert at San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome, home of Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses. This tour was possible through the assistance of Ennio Cominetti, especially in the towns surrounding Lake Como and Paolo De Matthaeis in Rome.
Organ Tour Italia 2015
July 18-24, 2015
Florence - Pisa - Rome
For Organ Tour Italia 2015, we were based in beautiful Florence. Upon our arrival at Florence Peretola Airport, we transferred to our hotel overlooking the Arno River. We performed a concert at the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Ricci in Florence and took day trips to Pisa and Rome.
Organ Tour Italia 2014
June 7-13, 2014
Lake Como Region
The 2014 tour was based in Gravedona and concentrated on instruments in towns surrounding Lake Como incluidng Varenna, Consiglio di Rumo, and Brenzio - all in the northern lake region of Italy near Milan. There were several highlights on this trip including the opportunity to see and play Serassi instruments from the 18th and 19th Century as well as an Antegnati organ from the end of the 17th Century. In addition, one day was spent traveling a bit further afield for a visit to Sotto il Monte, home town of Pope John XXIII just a few weeks after his canonization to sainthood, time in Bergamo to visit the historically significant Serassi organ in S. Alessandro in Colonna, and a visit to the harpsichord workshop of Carlo Mascheroni.
Organ Tour Italia 2013
July 11-19, 2013
Como - Assisi - Rome
Our first trip, Organ Tour Italia 2013 began in northern Italy. Upon our arrival to Milano Malpensa airport we went directly to Como for a short walking tour of the city including the Como Cathedral where we discussed the influences and developments of the pipe organ in Italy beginning with Wilhelm Hermans. Continuing on to beautiful Lake Como, we settled into our hotel in Gravedona. Each day we played a variety of instruments from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and explored the music of composers such as Bernardo Pasquini, Padre Davide da Bergamo, Alessandro Scarlatti, and Girolamo Frescobaldi. In addition, we spent a few days exploring the organs of Umbria in collaboration with Assisi Performing Arts, and we concluded the trip with the organs of Rome.