Ivan Ronda

We can begin by stating that this CD is the result of the great empathy, sympathy, synergy, friendship and esteem between three people, who are truly friends with each other. To tell the truth, this new recording project was not scheduled for this year 2023, even if the idea of a project to be carried out together had been boiling in the pot for some time. The author of the project, as well as the creator of the amazing interpretations, is my dear friend Ivan Ronda, organist of international level, already known since long ago in the organ music environment for his peculiar interpretations of great composers of the past such as: Bach, Händel , Mozart, Reger, up to recording projects dedicated entirely to composers of contemporary organ music. The title of the CD is “Organ Fireworks”, since from the list of titles it can be seen that most of the compositions performed here have a festive, solemn, playful, but at the same time meditative character. Another characteristic that immediately emerges is that the musical form of “Variations” prevails in the CD, considered not only in the more traditional style of the term, but also in a broader and more modern conception. This is a record that “winks” at two distinct musical environments, which throughout history have indeed had their independence and evolution, but at the same time have often intertwined with each other.

Ivan Ronda studied under Maestro Luigi Toja at the Giuseppe Nicolini Conservatory in Piacenza, graduating with the highest distinction in piano, organ, harpsichord, choral and orchestral conducting; he also received an honorary diploma of merit on completion of his eighth year of advanced study and went on to attend masterclasses in piano and organ, notably with the great French virtuoso Jean Guillou. Central to his repertory are the great works of J S Bach, Mozart, Reger and Liszt.

Ivan Ronda studied under Maestro Luigi Toja at the Giuseppe Nicolini Conservatory in Piacenza, graduating with the highest distinction in piano, organ, harpsichord, choral and orchestral conducting; he also received an honorary diploma of merit on completion of his eighth year of advanced study and went on to attend masterclasses in piano and organ, notably with the great French virtuoso Jean Guillou.

Igor Markevitch's complete recordings for Philips, made between 1959 and 1968, including several recordings new to CD. Igor Markevitch made his debut on the Philips label in 1959 with a pair of symphonies by Haydn, conducting the Parisian Lamoureux Orchestra, whose fortunes he had begun to revive two years previously. He had embarked on a full-time career as a conductor less than 15 years earlier, having been one of the most original voices of European music before the war.