Girolamo Diruta

This teacher, organist and music theorist was prominent and well-versed in his discipline and on his instrument. Diruta's major contribution to the musical corpus of literature was "Il tansilvano dialogo sopra il vero modo di sonor organi, et istromenti da penna". This dialogue contained most of his important compositional works (tocattas, hymns, magnificat settings, etudes) with the exception of some motets. The compositions contained therein include studies for every conceivable needed exercise and descriptions of organ technique that were as specific as the seated position of the player at the organ. Diruta engaged discussions concerning the differences in organ and harpsichord performance as well as an extended set of rules for composition. ~ Keith Johnson