Tiento 4o Tono de mano Izquirda

Juan Bautista José Cabanilles (also Juan Bautista Josep, Valencian: Joan) (1644 in Algemesí near Valencia – 1712 in Valencia) was a Spanish organist and composer at Valencia Cathedral.

He is considered by many to have been the greatest Spanish Baroque composer, and has been called the Spanish Bach.

He probably began his musical career as a singer in a choir of a local church. Later he studied to become a priest in the cathedral at Valencia, which included lessons in music.

On 15 May 1665, at 20 years of age, he was named the assistant organist of the cathedral.

A year later, upon the death of his predecessor, he became the principal organist. He kept his position as principal organist for 45 years.

Many of Cabanilles's compositions are virtuosic and advanced for their time, but generally, he is in the Spanish tradition of keyboard music following 16th century patterns. 

The Tiento is a musical genre originating in Spain in the mid-15th century.
It is formally analogous to the fantasia (fantasy), found in England, Germany, and the Low Countries.

This recording: Tiento de 4o Tono de mano Izquirda.

By far the majority of the historic Spanish organs are single-manual with registers divided at middle C/ C#.
The organist can “simulate” a double manual organ by choosing different stops for the bass and treble side.

This Tiento is meant as a solo piece for the left hand (mano Izquierda).
The accompanying chords are played on the treble side of the manual.

Registration:

Left hand: Trompeta Real (the reed stop inside the casing)

Right hand: Flautado 13 (8ft), Octava (4ft), Lleno (plenum)

Organ photo by Organ Art Media