The Emperor's Fanfare (Toccata Real)

Antonio Francisco Javier José Soler Ramos, usually known as Padre ('Father', in the religious sense) Antonio Soler, known in Catalan as Antoni Soler i Ramos (baptized 3 December 1729, died 20 December 1783) was a Spanish composer whose works span the late Baroque and early Classical music eras. He is best known for his keyboard sonatas, an important contribution to the harpsichord, fortepiano and organ repertoire.
Soler was born in Olot (Catalonia, Spain) in the historical County of Besalú. In 1736, when he was six, he entered the Escolania of the Monastery of Montserrat where he studied music with the resident maestro Benito Esteve and organist Benito Valls. In 1744, he was simultaneously appointed organist and subdeacon at the Cathedral of La Seu d'Urgell. Later in life, he was chapel master in Lleida and at the Royal Court in El Escorial.

Soler took holy orders at the age of 23, and embarked on an extremely busy routine as a Hieronymite in El Escorial, Madrid with 20-hour workdays, in the course of which he produced more than 500 compositions. Among these were around 150 keyboard sonatas. Other pieces include Christmas villancicos and Catholic liturgical music, including Masses. He died in the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial; unfortunately no portraits of him are known to exist. His most celebrated works are his keyboard sonatas, which have some affinity to those composed by Domenico Scarlatti (with whom he may have studied). However, Soler's works are more varied in form than those of Scarlatti. He also composed concertos, quintets for organ and strings, motets, masses and pieces for solo organ.

Portrait of Soler below.

This upload is the first of the PB 4-channel surround sample set. This is the current, REAL version of the organ, with several new stops added by Harrison in the restoration.

In this performance you'll hear first the "old" Tuba, then the "new" one. BOTH stops are on the instrument today.

More to come.

Peace and safety to All!