Prices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Stylus Phantasticusund Liedvariationen bis Bach
Gerhard Gnann (Riegner & Friedrich Organ, Riegel) This re-release presents toccatas written in the ‘stylus phantasticus’ alongside variations on songs. These works by Bruhns, Buxtehude, Bach, Böhm and Sweelinck, covering one and a half centuries, offer a fascinating insight into the North German baroque organ tradition. The carefully chosen instrument (built in 1991 by Riegner & Friedrich in Riegel/Kaiserstuhl), though not a copy, is modelled on historic North German organs. High-quality workmanship as well as the artistic talent of the voicer makes for an instrument whose fresh and always transparent sound is immediately appealing: “The full organ sound is bright and balanced, and the basic stops possess a vocal quality characterised by that gentle energy which is indispensable for an organ epitomising a musical instrument in the true sense of the word.” (Musica sacra) Gerhard Gnann was awarded many prizes at international competitions, including the Bach Competition Brügge (Bruges), the Swiss Organ competition and the Grand Prix “Dom zu Speyer” (“Speyer Cathedral”). In 1997 Gerhard Gnann was appointed professor for artistic organ playing at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. As an artist and teacher Gerhard Gnann is in high demand nationally and internationally, giving concerts and master classes e.g. in Italy, Poland, Norway, Denmark, France and Austria. | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  | Sweelinck - Keyboard Works Volume 2
As well as being one of the most famous organists and teachers of his time, Sweelinck was the last and most important composer of the musically rich golden era of the Netherlanders. His output comprises seventy works for keyboard, which represent some of the most richly imaginative music of the period, yet none was published during his lifetime. Robert Woolley has a large discography on Chandos, both as a soloist and as a member of The Purcell Quartet, the ensemble he co-founded in 1983. An internationally regarded authority on the music of this period, he broadcasts regularly for the BBC and has performed and recorded on many historic instruments. On this recording, he plays two instruments: a modern copy by Malcolm Rose of the Lodewijk Theewes claviorgan of 1579, a harpsichord-organ combination which has belonged to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London since 1890; and a rarely heard virginal, or muselar, by the firm Adlam Burnett, based on an instrument of Ioannes Ruckers from 1611 in the Finchcocks collection. None of the music in this varied and rewarding programme is well represented in the catalogue. “A rich, rewarding brew of imaginative harpsichord music, expertly played. …these are pleasingly natural performances. There is not much competition in the world of Sweelinck recordings, but this stands out as an excellent harpsichord release in its own right.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2009 “What a fine composer Sweelinck was! This volume drives the point home by presenting several of his best compositions, including the imaginatively patterned variations on Esce mars and Unterder Linden grune, the weighty and implacable Fantasia crommatica (how Bach would surely have admired this piece) and the hauntingly beautiful variations on Mein junges Leben hat ein Endt.
Other works here include a take on Peter Philips's Pavana dolorosa, a lovingly plumped-up version of Dowland's Lachrymae, and a handful of improvisatory toccatas. Sweelinck brings together in his music many of the influences current in the first years of the 17th century – Italian flair, north European seriousness, English resonance and melodic grace – and makes of them a rich and rewarding brew, maintaining coherence by the force of his own good taste and sound compositional judgement.
Robert Woolley switches between two marvellous harpsichords – Malcolm Rose's currently much-in-demand copy of the Victoria and Albert Museum's 1579 Theewes claviorganum, and a deep and mellow copy by Derek Adlam of a 1611 Ruckers virginals. His playing, too, covers most bases. Without forcing the pace, he shows brilliant fingerwork in Esce mars or a piece like the Toccata C2, and achieves clarity and composure in the more melodically driven works. The toccatas occupy a convincing middle ground between the improvisatory and the written- out in feel, and tempi are for the most part expertly judged. In other words, these are pleasingly natural performances. There is not much competition in the world of Sweelinck recordings, but this stands out as an excellent harpsichord release in its own right.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  | The Morlanda Organ: A Historical Swedish Organ
Recorded at Morlanda Kyrka, Orust, Sweden, May 2001 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  | Sweelinck: Harpsichord Music
Gavin Black (harpsichord) | |
|
| |  | Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck - Keyboard Works
| | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | A Bridge to Bach
“The pre-Bach keyboard composers featured in this program share an improvisatory sensibility and sense of playfulness that not only lend themselves to a modern concert grand but also can absorb Andrew Rangell's freewheeling temperament and dynamic, big-boned pianism. His opening selection, Orlando Gibbons' Lord of Salisbury Pavane and Galliard, conveys a three-dimensional, theatrical effect that completely differs from Glenn Gould's x-ray clarity and astringent textures in the same work.” Classics Today | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |
|
