Sonatas 1-21
Five Verses
March in D major
Kyrie in D major
Gloria in A minor
Offertorio
Elevazione
Postcomunio
Six Verses in F major
Six Verses in E minor
Six Verses in A minor
Allegro vivace
Allegro
Pastorella Gravida

Don't be surprised if you weren't aware that Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) had composed music for the pipe organ. After all, according to the booklet notes written by Paolo Bottini, the organist on this recording, these pieces had been scattered across various collections. Following the musicological efforts by the Giacomo Puccini Study Center in Lucca, they were finally brought together and published in 2017.

Unbeknownst to many, Puccini, one of the first great Italian composers to unite grand opera with verism, began his musical journey during his teenage years serving as an organist in Lucca and various churches in nearby towns. The various works on this CD were composed during that period. In 1880 he moved to Milan to further his studies, and the rest is history.

Most of these pieces were written to fulfill liturgical purposes, but I would assume that some, like the Sonatas for example, were produced to enhance young Giacomo's musical knowledge, technique and harmonic development (No. 1 is based on a theme from Verdi's Rigoletto). Most are soft and restrained, whilst some are highly dramatic (No. 7) and others are very operatic in nature (No. 5), and some will blow your hair back with their power (No. 17). Although somewhat short in duration, they all display Puccini's innate melodic flair and ear for dramatic effect. Others, like the Elevazione for example, exploit the organ's lyrical and cantabile character while the Pastorella Gravida explores the instrument's sonic qualities.

Two instruments were used for this recording. The 1855 Vegezzi/Bossi organ in Pavone Canavese, and the 1862-2010 Bossi/Giani of St. Stefano in Casalmaggiore. Organist Paolo Bottini deftly leverages each one's attributes to suit the essence of each piece. This recording is a must for any and all pipe organ music enthusiasts looking to hear material off the beaten path, as well as opera buffs keen to further understand and appreciate the music of Giacomo Puccini, one of the best opera composers of all time.