Andantino

andantino

This sparkling Andantino is the first movement of Concierto III para dos organos by the Catalan composer, Padre Antonio Soler (1729-1783), arranged by Guy Woolfenden for antiphonal double wind quintet.

Soler received his early musical education at Montserrat. In 1752 he joined the Jeronymite order at the Escorial, where he became maestro de capella. He was able to study with Domenico Scarlatti in Madrid and became involved in some controversy with his important book on modulation, Llave de la modulación (Key to Modulation), which laid down the principles of modulation, how to shift from one key to another. His interest in the theory and history of music was considerable, coupled with an enthusiasm for other branches of learning, including mathematics. He was also employed as a consultant on the construction of new organs. Antonio Soler’s six quintets for string quartet and organ, with his six concertos for two organs, form the body of his surviving chamber music.