MOSSÉN JOAN BTA. CABANILLES

(1644-1712)

This organist was a master in the art of playing the organ. He was born in Algemesí and christened in the Saint James Parish in Setember, 6th in 1644. His father, Bertomeu Cabanilles, came from Pollensa (Mallorca), and his mother, Catherina Barberà born in Algemesí[1]. The first home of this musician was placed in the C/ Fusteros, nowadays C/ dels Fusters, as it is commemorated in a plate located in a wall of this street.

Nowadays the font is kept up in the middle of the yard of the "Porta de l'Aire" at the Basilica, using it as a fountain.

About the musical studies of this organist we have no real knowledge, but we know he was not integrated in the group of children in the Cathedral of València, because there is no proving document. In the investigation of the chronist (feature writer) of Algemesí, Dr.J. Antoni Domingo, he found that: " in November, 13th in 1646, Berthomeu Cabanilles is registered into the "Neighbourhood" built by the "Diputació de la Generalitat", using one of the five  privileges of the barony of the Boil (Manises) (mill, guest house, oven, bakery and shop), specifically as a shopkeeper"[2]. They lived there during seventeen years (1646-1662) -it is possible that he also studied organ in Manises- and after they came to the city of València. In any case, his training as a musician continues being an opened unknown waiting for new data to make clear this question.

The first documental news we have from him as an organist, are in the agreement of the chapter taken in March, 15th in 1665, where he was appointed as the holder organist of the Cathedral of València by the valencian Chapter -replacing Mn Jeroni de la Torre- . In those moments he was just 21, and he still was not a clerk, but he was prestigious as organist. This was the reason by which he did not need any entrance examination. Three months later he get the minor order. This was an essential condition to get the "benifet" (Eclesiastic Benefit) of the organ -he was the holder for 47 years-. A year later, in Setember 1668,  he was ordered as a presbitery when he was 24. Accidentally, in 1675, he got the charge of Chapel Master which holded for two years.

The musical production of Cabanilles is quite extensive. It is constituted by several choral pieces, passing by a great variety of organ music which comprises Tientos in all modalities (as an exemple: de Batalla, Partidos de Falsas, al Vuelo, Llenos, de Pange Lingua, a Modo de Italia, en Tercio, ...), but also has: Gallardas, Paseos, Tocatas, Pasacalles, one Corrente italiana, una Xàcara, ..., and an extense collection of verses i una extensa col·lecció de versos dedicated to liturgy.

In April 29th, 1712, when he was 67 years-old, he died in València. He was buried in the Cathedral "ab cantoria". In the burial mass were participating the Musical Capella. Nowadays there is an inscription refeering the event (coming into the Cathedral by the Barroque Door and in front of the blessed water basin). The borning city of this distinguished musician dedicated him a monument in 1959, an sculpture by Mr. Leonardo Borràs (look the photograph). It is located in the Cabanilles Square in Algemesí