- Gottlieb Muffat (1690 -1770), was born in Passau, Germany, as son of the composer Georg Muffat. He served as Hofscholar under Johann Fux in Vienna from 1711 and was appointed to the position of third court organist at the Hofkapelle by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1717. He acquired additional duties over time including the instruction of members of the Imperial family, among them the future Empress Maria Theresa. He was promoted to first organist upon the accession of Maria Theresa to the throne in 1741.
- Muffat's compositional output is primarily limited to keyboard music. His major publication, Componimenti musicali per il cembalo (Augsburg, ca. 1736), is remarkably progressive in its outlook. This collection of six suites, while maintaining the traditional Allemande, Courante and Sarabande format, is more lavishly ornamented than was characteristic of Austro-German music of that era. Some of the movements are even given fanciful French titles like La Coquette or L'aimable Esprit as were popular among the clavecinistes. The preface to this work contains an ornamentation table with symbols and performance instructions for 57 ornaments.
- Played by the eminent Italian Roberto Loreggian, an Early Music specialist with an impressive discography to his name. This recording is the first of a complete cycle of Muffat’s keyboard works Brilliant Classics. Critical praise for Roberto Loreggian on Brilliant Classics: ‘Loreggian has a real gift for making the music sound as if he is improvising it – it is easy to imagine Frescobaldi himself in the room with the listener.’ Early Music Review (Unpublished works, 96154). ‘An unprecedented achievement… The sheer naturalism of Loreggian’s interpretations captivates the listener.’ Suonare News (Frescobaldi Toccatas and Partite, 93767).
