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ECM New Series debut for the exceptional Russian-born pianist Lisa Smirnova, playing Handel’s Eight Great Suites (1720), also known as “The Eight London Suites” or “Suites de Pièces pour le Clavecin” – by any name, major pieces in the keyboard literature. Outstanding artists from Glenn Gould to Keith Jarrett have been drawn to these suites, but there are very few recordings of all eight, either on piano or harpsichord, currently on the market. Smirnova opts for the modern piano. She had been working rigorously on the Suites for five years prior to undertaking this recording, making many discoveries.
The 1720 edition of Suites – HWV 426-433 – is considered by many the most important collection of Handel’s early works. Published by the composer himself, it includes works from both his Hamburg and English periods, all extensively revised by the composer, right through the printing process.
Educated at Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, the Salzburg Mozarteum, and with Maria Curcio and Robert Levin, Smirnova (born in Moscow, currently living in Austria) burst onto the classical scene in 1992 with a well-received debut at Carnegie Hall when she was only 20. In 1993, she received the Brahms Prize at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the first pianist ever to be honoured with this award, and her concert activities have extended to international concert podia in Europe, Asia and the USA. She has a long relationship with the Far East – since 2007 she has been Artistic Director of the Nagasaki-Ojika International Music Festival.
Smirnova’s repertoire extends across the centuries – she has collaborated with contemporary composers including Kancheli, Silvestrov and Rihm, and won international awards for her recordings of Bach on MDG. Other widely-praised recordings include her account of Bloch’s works for viola and piano with Daniel Raiskin, on BMG/Arte Nova.
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.2 in F major, HWV 427 - Adagio
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.2 in F major, HWV 427 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.2 in F major, HWV 427 - Adagio
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.2 in F major, HWV 427 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.8 in F minor, HWV 433 - Prélude
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.8 in F minor, HWV 433 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.8 in F minor, HWV 433 - Allemande
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.8 in F minor, HWV 433 - Courante
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.8 in F minor, HWV 433 - Gigue
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.4 in E minor, HWV 429 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.4 in E minor, HWV 429 - Allemande
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.4 in E minor, HWV 429 - Courante
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.4 in E minor, HWV 429 - Sarabande
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.4 in E minor, HWV 429 - Gigue
Harpsichord Suite No.5 in E HWV 430 "The Harmonious Blacksmith" - Prélude
Harpsichord Suite No.5 in E HWV 430 "The Harmonious Blacksmith" - Allemande
Harpsichord Suite No.5 in E HWV 430 "The Harmonious Blacksmith" - Courante
Harpsichord Suite No.5 in E HWV 430 "The Harmonious Blacksmith" - Air - Double 1-5
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.3 in D minor HWV 428 - Prélude
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.3 in D minor HWV 428 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.3 in D minor HWV 428 - Allemande
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.3 in D minor HWV 428 - Courante
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.3 in D minor HWV 428 - Air - Double 1-5
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.3 in D minor HWV 428 - Presto
Harpsichord Suite No.6 in F sharp minor HWV 431 - Prélude
Harpsichord Suite No.6 in F sharp minor HWV 431 - Largo
Harpsichord Suite No.6 in F sharp minor HWV 431 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite No.6 in F sharp minor HWV 431 - Gigue
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.1 in A major, HWV 426 - Prélude
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.1 in A major, HWV 426 - Allemande
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.1 in A major, HWV 426 - Courante
Harpsichord Suite Set I No.1 in A major, HWV 426 - Gigue
Harpsichord Suite No.7 in G minor HWV 432 - Ouverture
Harpsichord Suite No.7 in G minor HWV 432 - Andante
Harpsichord Suite No.7 in G minor HWV 432 - Allegro
Harpsichord Suite No.7 in G minor HWV 432 - Sarabande
Harpsichord Suite No.7 in G minor HWV 432 - Gigue
Harpsichord Suite No.7 in G minor HWV 432 - Passacaille
1st December 2011
“Smirnova here performs the so-called "Eight London Suites" with great sensitivity and poise - the first movement of the Suite No. 2 opens with the most startlingly delicate of trills - and subtle differentiation between the various Gigues, Allemandes, Courantes and Sarabandes whose abundance reflects the suites' origins in contemporary dance forms.”
January 2011
*****
“as Lisa Smirnova's vivacious account of the Eight Great Suites reminds us, they're a treasure-trove of Handelian wit and humanity. Purists will certainly need to take them on Smirnova's terms, too. Although she engages with period practice...she's no slave to it, producing something unapologetically pianistic and sometimes anachronistic here...Handel with care? Undeniably. And with captivating flair in spades.”
March 2012
“this is a truly delightful couple of discs...for the sound picture not only allows the illusion of a harpsichord when appropriate (try the Prelude to Suite No. 1) but serves the clarity of rapid passagework extremely well...Smirnova's limpid touch and lucid tone are perfect partners for Handel and, with an excellent booklet, one can only look forward to Vol. 2.”
25th February 2012
*****
“Handel's first set of London suites played on the piano, in the hands of Lisa Smirnova, are a resounding success. This is a performance of real artistry and is unspeakably beautiful at moments. If I had to pick out highlights - a difficult task - the E minor and F# minor suites are, for me, some of the best Handel playing I've heard.”
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Harpsichord Suite Set I No.2 in F major, HWV 427 - Adagio
