Austrian hills – and homes, courts, and cathedrals – were alive with music in the 16th century! 

Philadelphia’s period instrument ensemble, Piffaro the Renaissance Band, presents Music from Austrian Court & Countryside with guest organist, Matthew Glandorf.  This program, arranged for Piffaro’s recorders, shawms, dulcians, sackbuts, and other Renaissance wind instruments, captures the range of this rich musical life: 4-part tenorlied composed in Salzburg; important works composed by Emperor Ferdinand II’s kapellmeister, Alexander Utendal, for the Imperial family in Innsbruck; selections from the Stomius Partbooks that shed light on early Lutheran worship; and the Italian dances that swept the nation. 

Listen to musical examples >>

Any portrayal of musical life in Austria during this period would be incomplete without Paul Hofhaimer, “First Organist to the Emperor” and famed keyboard improvisor. “One would wonder,” wrote a contemporary, “not so much how the ocean gets all the water with which to feed the rivers, but how this man gets the ideas for all his melodies.” Philadelphia organist Matthew Glandorf, a noted improvisor himself, will showcase his skills on the new Emery Brothers pipe organ at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, one of the largest in the city.

 Watch Matt discuss the history of the organ >>