Toccata Quinta (Il secondo libro di toccate d'intavolatura di cembalo et organo, Roma 1627 / 1637)

Girolamo Frescobaldi is considered a central figure in the history of organ music. Born in Ferrara in 1583, he received instruction as a youth at the Este court from the composer and organist Luzzasco Luzzaschi, who at the time directed the ducal instrumental music. He soon attracted attention for his virtuoso organ playing.

Probably around the year 1600, Frescobaldi followed the later Cardinal Guido Bentivoglio of Ferrara to Rome, where he served as temporary organist at the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere in 1607 before following Bentivoglio, who had in the meantime been appointed Apostolic Nuncio, to Flanders for a year. However, Frescobaldi had made such a strong impression in Rome – not least on influential patrons from the nobility and the clergy – that he was chosen as the organist of St. Peter's Basilica in absentia – a position he took up in November 1608. In addition, he was repeatedly active at other churches in Rome and in 1615 went to the court of Cardinal Ferdinando Gonzaga as a musician, although he left after only two months, disappointed by the lack of appreciation for his work there.

In 1628, Frescobaldi was appointed court organist in Florence by Grand Duke Ferdinando II de' Medici, but returned to Rome six years later, in 1634, to resume his position as organist at St. Peter's Basilica. Among the students he taught during these years was the young Johann Jakob Froberger (1616–1667), who had come to Rome in 1638 for a three-and-a-half-year study visit. In addition to his work as an organist, Frescobaldi was a much sought-after musician in Roman musical life until his death in 1643, and was a member of the highest social circles.

As a composer, Frescobaldi left a significant mark on all genres of keyboard music of his time; he was particularly influential in the field of the toccata. In this genre, the Toccata Quinta from the Secondo Libro di Toccate (Rome 1627 / Rome 1637) is a particularly striking example of his compositional art.