Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 1
Acknowledged without reservation as the greatest composer working in England in the 18th century, Georg Frideric Handel is revered worldwide as a master composer. His Harpsichord Suites are among the finest instrumental works of the period, and eight of those are presented here by Gilbert Rowland, one of Europe’s foremost harpsichordists.
These two well-filled discs are a real bargain for such accomplished performances.
More details for Volume Two and Volume Three.
Track Listing
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George Frederic Handel:
- Suite in D minor for Harpsichord, HWV428 − I. Prelude - Presto (1:12)
- Suite in D minor for Harpsichord, HWV428 − II. Allegro (2:41)
- Suite in D minor for Harpsichord, HWV428 − III. Allemande (4:34)
- Suite in D minor for Harpsichord, HWV428 − IV. Courante (2:11)
- Suite in D minor for Harpsichord, HWV428 − V. Air and 5 Variations (8:52)
- Suite in D minor for Harpsichord, HWV428 − VI. Presto (5:22)
- Suite in A major for harpsichord, HWV454 − I. Allemande (5:30)
- Suite in A major for harpsichord, HWV454 − II. Courante (3:24)
- Suite in A major for harpsichord, HWV454 − III. Sarabande (2:24)
- Suite in A major for harpsichord, HWV454 − IV. Gigue (3:17)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV438 − I. Allemande (3:48)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV438 − II. Sarabande (2:20)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV438 − III. Gigue (1:59)
- Suite in C major for harpsichord, HWV443 − I. Praeludium (3:37)
- Suite in C major for harpsichord, HWV443 − II. Allemande (3:12)
- Suite in C major for harpsichord, HWV443 − III. Courante (1:41)
- Suite in C major for harpsichord, HWV443 − IV. Sarabande and Double (4:22)
- Suite in C major for harpsichord, HWV443 − V. Gigue (0:48)
- Suite in C major for harpsichord, HWV443 − VI. Chaconne and 49 Variations (13:32)
- Suite in G minor for harpsichord, HWV439 − I. Allemande (4:56)
- Suite in G minor for harpsichord, HWV439 − II. Courante (4:22)
- Suite in G minor for harpsichord, HWV439 − III. Sarabande (3:41)
- Suite in G minor for harpsichord, HWV439 − IV. Gigue (5:16)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − I. Allemande (2:44)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − II. Allegro (2:33)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − III. Courante (3:57)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − IV. Aria: Presto (1:37)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − V. Menuetto (4:32)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − VI. Gavotta (3:34)
- Suite in G major for harpsichord, HWV441 − VII. Gigue (2:52)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV429 − I. Allegro (3:52)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV429 − II. Allemande (3:13)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV429 − III. Courante (2:39)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV429 − IV. Sarabande (4:50)
- Suite in E minor for harpsichord, HWV429 − V. Gigue (1:56)
- Suite in E major for harpsichord, HWV430 − I. Prelude (2:09)
- Suite in E major for harpsichord, HWV430 − II. Allemande (5:38)
- Suite in E major for harpsichord, HWV430 − III. Courante (2:38)
- Suite in E major for harpsichord, HWV430 − IV.Air and 5 Variations (4:25)
Reviews
“These modern recordings are cleanly and most listenably played … the music is conveyed with impeccable fingerwork and an admirable sense of style. This series could and should run and run. Meanwhile, snap up these albums without delay and bask in some unfailingly delicious playing.
” —Michael Round
“The standard of playing is very high indeed, with some crisp articulation, appropriately added ornamentation in the repeats and a subtly convincing application of inégalité … this is a most enjoyable recording.
” —John Collins
“Rowland is an evenhanded and intelligent player, His ornaments are always tasteful, but it is his changes of texture that add interest and variety. Lovers of Handel’s music will appreciate Rowland’s commitment to the rich musical world of these suites.
” —Shelley Katz
“The playing is lively, spirited and devoid of any mechanical delivery that renders so many harpsichord recordings unenjoyable. The segments in the minor modes are given the right touch of sobriety and darker color. The phrasing is always shaped and well manipulated to reinforce the melody and forward momentum of each piece. Rowland’s fluid and well accented fingering never allows the music to settle into repetitive tedium, but instead seems to give repeated lines a slightly different inflection. All very well reproduced in this fine Divine Art recording.
” —Jean-Yves Duperron
