Marco Enrico Bossi - le premier des organistes

Italy in the 19th Century

What did Italy look — and sound — like when Marco Enrico Bossi was born? In this first episode, we step into 19th-century Italy, a time when the organ was inspired by the world of opera. At the center of this musical scene was Serassi, the celebrated organ builder who made it possible for the instrument to sound like a full orchestra.
Bossi, who graduated as a pianist, never finished his organ studies — he couldn’t identify with the dominant style of the time. That early artistic resistance would later define his unique voice and forward-looking musical vision.
This episode is presented in French by Alessandro Urbano.
Music by Vincenzo Bellini (Sonata per organo), Giovanni Morandi (Benedizione del Venerabile) and Filippo Capocci (Introduction).
 

The Reform of Church Music in 19th-Century Italy

In 19th-century Italy, a powerful movement emerged to reform church music — one that sought to drive the theatrical, operatic style out of sacred spaces and rediscover a sound more fitting for prayer. Musicians and composers turned back to the Baroque, drawing inspiration from the pure, polyphonic traditions of masters like Frescobaldi and Palestrina.
At the same time, Italy’s distinctive organs — designed to emulate the drama of the opera house — proved a challenge for foreign performers. One famous story tells how Camille Saint-Saëns, during a concert in Milano, struggled to play Bach convincingly on such an instrument.
In 1881, the organ builder Merklin constructed a new, modern instrument in Rome, inaugurated by Filippo Capocci and Alexandre Guilmant. The performance delighted the Pope, marking a turning point in the history of Italian sacred music and organ building.
This episode is presented in French by Alessandro Urbano, who guides you through this fascinating chapter in Italy’s musical transformation.
Music by Girolamo Frescobaldi (Capriccio) and Marco Enrico Bossi (Scherzo & Étude symphonique).
 

Marco Enrico Bossi and France

Marco Enrico Bossi maintained close ties abroad throughout his career, driven by a desire to measure the level of Italian organ music against that of other countries. His curiosity and ambition led him to connect with some of France’s most influential musical figures, including César Franck, Théodore Dubois, and Alexandre Guilmant. Through these relationships, Bossi not only found artistic exchange and inspiration, but also gained opportunities to publish his works in France and even in the United States.
In this episode, we explore how these international friendships shaped Bossi’s career, broadened his horizons, and helped bring Italian organ music onto the world stage.
Host Alessandro Urbano leads you through this episode, speaking in French.
Music by Marco Enrico Bossi (Prélude op. 70-1, Idylle op. 94-2 & Chant du Soir op. 92-1) and Théodore Dubois (In paradisum).

Konzertstück, op. 130

Marco Enrico Bossi maintained strong ties with Germany and travelled there frequently. One of his most memorable visits was to the opera house in Bayreuth, where he instantly fell under the spell of Richard Wagner’s music. Deeply inspired by this new compositional language, Bossi infused it into one of his most impressive works: the Konzertstück, which he dedicated to the great German organist Karl Straube.
In this episode, we take a closer look at how Bossi blends Wagnerian chromaticism with the French forme cyclique to create a truly unique musical journey. Your host, Alessandro Urbano, will guide you through this work — and he does so in French.
Music by Marco Enrico Bossi (Konzertstück, op. 130).

Fünf Orgelstücke in freiem Stil, Op. 132 – Part 1

Like the Konzertstück, Bossi’s Opus 132 was published in Germany by Rieter-Biedermann. This collection consists of five symphonic poems for organ, works of such orchestral imagination and scope that some were later arranged for full orchestra.
In this first episode dedicated to Opus 132, Alessandro Urbano introduces the pieces Legende and Trauerzug. You will also hear short excerpts from Stunde der Freude. Alessandro is your host for this episode and guides you through the music in French.

Fünf Orgelstücke in freiem Stil, Op. 132 – Part 2

In this second episode dedicated to Opus 132, Alessandro Urbano explores one of the most beautiful works in the set: Ländliche Szene. This enchanting pastoral evokes a peaceful countryside atmosphere and features lyrical solo lines for the oboe and clarinet.
Alessandro then turns to Stunde der Weihe, a piece that creates a mysterious and contemplative mood through the use of chromaticism and refined registration. This work was dedicated to an organist in Moscow, reflecting Bossi’s truly European outlook.
Your host Alessandro Urbano guides you through these works in French.

Across the Atlantic: Bossi's final chapter

During his concert tour in the United States, Bossi performed not only organ transcriptions but also works for organ and violin. It is worth remembering that Bossi was himself a violinist. His legendary encounter with Marcel Dupré became a moment often recalled in organ history.
Tragically, Bossi died of a cerebral hemorrhage on February 20, 1925, on his return voyage to Europe. A remarkable musical figure was lost far too soon. Even today, Bossi is not fully recognised for his true worth. He was indeed “le premier des organistes.”
Your host, Alessandro Urbano, tells this story in French.
Music by Marco Enrico Bossi (Visione op. 119-2, Adagio op. 84, Musette op. 70-2, Ave Maria op. 104-2) & Modest Mussorgsky (The Old Castle).