A Century of Domestic Keyboards
Period-instrument specialist Joanna Leach takes us on a journey through the development of keyboard instruments used in wealthy homes, from a spinet through three square pianos; each contemporary with the music played.
Musically both educational and extremely entertaining – a fine and unique recital.
Track Listing
-
François Couperin:
- Les Barricades Misterieuses (2:46)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Virginite (0:42)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Pudeur (0:30)
- Les Folies Francaises - L'Ardeur (0:29)
- Les Folies Francaises - L'Esperance (0:33)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Fidelite (0:54)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Perseverance (0:38)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Langueur (0:58)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Coquetterie (0:24)
- Les Folies Francaises - Les vieux Galants et les Tresorieres surannees (1:14)
- Les Folies Francaises - Les Coucous benevoles (0:32)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Jalousie taciturne (1:19)
- Les Folies Francaises - La Frenesie ou le Desespoir (0:35) William Byrd:
- Pavan - The Earle of Salisbury (1:17) George Frederic Handel:
- Fantasia in C major, G.60 (3:32)
- Sonata in G minor, G.273 (2:11)
- Sonata in G minor, G.276 (1:10) Johann Sebastian Bach:
- Prelude in E major, BWV933 no. 5 (1:47)
- Prelude in E minor, BWV933 no. 6 (1:52) George Frederic Handel:
- Air and Variations, G. 56 (4:09) Antonio Soler:
- Keyboard Sonata no. 84 in D major (3:15) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
- Adagio in B minor, K.540 (8:47) Franz Schubert:
- Waltz in B minor, D. 145 no. 6 (1:19)
- Waltz in B major, D. 365 no. 24 (0:43)
- Ecossaise no. 1, D.783 no. 17 (0:20)
- Deutsche tanz in G minor, D. 783 no.4 (0:38)
- Landler, D 790 no. 4 (0:46)
- Valse sentimentale in A major, D. 779 no, 13 (1:16)
- Ungarische Melodie, D. 817 (3:41) Felix Mendelssohn:
- Venetianisches Gondelied in F sharp minor, op. 30 no. 6 (3:10)
- Venetianisches Gondelied in A minor, op. 62 no. 5 (3:19)
- Wie die Zeit Lauft! (2:27)
- Duetto, op. 38 no. 6 (3:25)
- Albumblatt in E minor, op. 117 (4:54)
Reviews
“Joanna Leach is an excellent artist… the instruments presented here are very interesting and not easily available on disc. They shed light on a virtually ignored aspect of music-making in the 18th and 19th centuries.
” —Johan van Veen
“There is no denying the pleasure of experiencing the music of Mozart, Handel and Schubert in a domestic setting and as it would have been heard in the instruments of the day. Joanna Leach’s playing is intimate, stylish and pleasantly unassuming.
” —Jeremy Nicholas
“Joanna Leach adds to her well-respected output of recordings of square pianos with an eclectic programme of pieces on three pianos and a spinet. Joanna Leach articulates clearly, although there is a lack of contrasting over-holding and thus warmth of sound. However, at the 21st track… her playing transports us into another realm as soon as the third instrument, the Stodart square piano of 1823, is touched at the opening of the Soler sonata.
” —Penelope Cave
“A thoroughly enjoyable album finds Leach playing for the clear joy of it…A tasty work with a nice concept.
” —Chris Spector
“Period instrument specialist Joanna Leach takes us on a journey through the development of keyboard instruments. This unique recital of elegantly played music vividly brings to life the sounds of another age.
”
“The recording is beautifully judged throughout, very close and capturing the finest of nuances. Leach’s performances are first-rate, stylish and alert, with impeccably pointed ornaments. The booklet notes by Andrew Lancaster are very informative, complemented by colour photographs of each instrument. Highly recommended: domestic instruments they may be, but they are of a quality and character which is remarkable to hear.
” —Nicholas Salwey
