alla levatione

At the Elevation — the moment during the Roman Catholic Mass when the priest raises the consecrated Host and chalice. In 17th-century Italian practice, the organist played a piece of special devotional character at this moment, providing a sustained, meditative sound to deepen the congregation's contemplation. Frescobaldi composed several of his most sublime pieces specifically for this occasion: the famous Toccata cromatica per le levatione from Fiori musicali (Messa della Domenica), the Toccata quarta per l'organo da sonarsi alla levatione from Toccate II, and the elevation toccatas for the Apostoli and Madonna masses. These pieces are distinguished by their chromatic intensity, slow tempo, and dense affetti texture.

Play an alla levatione piece as if time has stopped. The tempo must be genuinely slow, without any sense of pulse or forward drive — it is music for a moment of stillness. The chromatic voice-leading should be allowed full resonance: on the organ, a soft but rich registration (flutes or principals at 8' and 4' without mixture) is appropriate. On the harpsichord or piano, arpeggiate all chords slowly and let each sonority decay naturally. The elevation toccatas in Fiori musicali are among the most concentrated and deeply felt pieces in the keyboard literature.