The pipe organ of the Cathedral of Faro it is «more than 300 years old» and the desire to create a “School of Organ in the Cathedral” was also old. As of this Saturday, November 18th, this desire of the Cabido da Sé begins to come true, with the first meeting of Professor André Ferreira with the 25 future organists, a number «that surpasses expectations».
Canon José Pedro is the dean of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Faro, the group of priests who are in charge of the zeal for the liturgy and culture of the Faro See. On a visit to this temple, with the Sul Informação, explained where this old idea of creating the “Organ School” comes from.
«Since always, cathedrals have had a very important role in the field of sacred music. The idea comes both from there, and from the fact that we want to celebrate the 300 years of this pipe organ [celebrated in 2015] not just in a written way».
This school “will have several stages”. Students will start “with a simple organ” and then “start playing the pipe organ”.
Classes will be twice a month, with the right to "personalized service". The fact is that, Canon José Pedro revealed, among those enrolled there are both "people with some knowledge" and others "without any".
And what is the main objective of this school? “Preparation for liturgical accompaniment”, replies the dean of the Chapter, without leaving aside the possibility of organ concerts in the Cathedral.
As for the number of inscriptions, Canon José Pedro confessed that he was not “expecting so much adhesion”. "It's a surprise," he stressed.
In this first meeting that André Ferreira is going to have with his students, issues such as school days will be outlined.
It is certain that the themes to be addressed will be linked to the «basic principles of tonal harmony, chains and cadences, transposition, technique, improvisation of preludes and different recordings for the various liturgical moments», as explained by the newspaper Folha de Domingo.
For Canon José Pedro, "there is a greater taste for the pipe organ". And here comes, without a doubt, the association Música XXI and the his Organ Festival now in its 10th edition.
Patrícia Neto Martins, from the organization of this initiative, considers that «the Festival had an influence», both in «arousing this greater interest in the organ», as well as in the constitution of the school. Proof of this is that the teacher André Ferreira has even played at the Organ Festival.
“This is a seed that is bearing fruit,” he says. And despite this being an Organ School in the Cathedral of Faro, will be “extended to other bodies in the region”. This is because, «whoever learns to play an organ, will know how to play others. It's just a matter of adjustment, as each organ has its own characteristics," he told the Sul Informação.
Therefore, Patrícia Neto Martins outlines a goal: to hear, in the next edition, «a presentation by these students» at the Festival de Organ.
Canon José Pedro also gives credit for organizing this initiative. “Having the Organ Festival is, for us, a motivation and an incentive”, he said.
With an eye on the historic pipe organ of the Sé de Faro, typically German in design and standing imposingly next to the Choir, the dean of the Chapter has no doubts. “Music also helps people to come to mass. I will do everything I can to carry this school forward».
Anyone who wants can still subscribe by sending an email to [email protected], but it will be on the waiting list. These classes will cost 40 euros per month for each student.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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