Arquitectura e Som: O Órgão de Tubos Mafra: "Um Instrumento Musical Arquitectónico"

Abstract

This work seeks to highlight the idea that there is an affinity between architecture and music through its more direct relationship: the sound that travels through space. For this purpose, it was placed the main focus, at the musical instrument that most leveraged this relationship: the pipe organ. It also seeks to study, appreciate and understand the largest set of historic organs designed and constructed for the same space in the World: the Basilica of Mafra's six organs. The pipe organ, originally profane, remains until the present day, in concert halls, and is used in many palatial festive occasions. However, it was at the service of the Church that all its potentials were explored, adjusting to the religious space to the point the Catholic Church considers as his property. Their sound and visual adaptation to the architectural space capabilities reach their peak in the Baroque era, a time when the visual ornamentation and acoustic matter arrive to a very close level of technical and acoustic refinement, combining with each other in the same space with the same purpose: the liturgy. The Catholic Church, in particular, managed to "persuade" and engage the faithful creating sensitive ambiences which would be almost impossible to be indifferent, acting on all the sensory channels and controlling much of the "arts" to them accessible, especially architecture and music. This idea that all our sensitive channels are exposed to architectural space also serve as added value in an architectural reflection to the extent that this "to work space without forgetting the sound" can adjust architectural environments to their proper intentions not only the spatial and visual point of view but also from the acoustic angle. Study the specific case of Basilica of Mafra, one of the great examples of the power of the possible link between the visual and the sound with a well-bound and clear order, persuasion of sense, does not only theorize but also experience the join between architecture and sound or a "musical architectural space".