Pedal playing in the Baroque

Why is pedal playing of northern and southern European traditions so different? In North Germany, they could play extended pedal passages spanning entire pedal board. In Italy, the most they could muster were a few sustained pedal notes. Does that seem fair?

You know what I think? I think all of this has to do with the way Catholics and Lutherans approached organ music.

For Lutherans in Germany, organ music was embraced in it's highest forms, advanced pedal playing being one of them.

"Dieterich, show us what your third hand can do. Actually you have 4 hands now so play double pedals."

For Catholics, organ music was tolerated as long as it didn't draw too much attention to itself.

"Girolamo, stop making all that noise with your feet. We're trying to pray here."

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Ausra's Harmony Exercise:

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