One of the pioneers of the 20th-century resurrection of interest in the harpsichord was the great virtuoso Wanda Landowska who assisted in the development of a harpsichord built by Pleyel of Paris. Performing on a 1930s Pleyel harpsichord, Christopher Lewis has chosen a program of 20th-century works by French or French-based composers. Poulenc's colourful Suite franÃ§aise is followed by FranÃ§aix's exciting and previously unrecorded Deux PiÃ¨ces. Martinu's lyricism and intensity of expression can be heard in the Sonata and other pieces while Louis Durey's piquant Dix Inventions is both a homage to Bach's Two-Part Inventions and a work whose compositional technique is firmly rooted in the modern era.

Tracklist:

Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): I. Bransle De Bourgogne
Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): II. Pavane
Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): III. Petite Marche Militaire
Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): IV. Complainte
Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): V. Bransle De Champagne
Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): VI. Sicilienne
Suite Française, Fp 80 (Version For Harpsichord): VII. Carillon
2 Pièces, H. 244: No. 1. Grave
2 Pièces, H. 244: No. 2. Vivace
2 Impromptus, H. 381: No. 1. Allegretto
2 Impromptus, H. 381: No. 2. -
Harpsichord Sonata, H. 368: I. Poco Allegro
Harpsichord Sonata, H. 368: II. Poco Moderato Cantabile
Harpsichord Sonata, H. 368: III. Allegretto
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 1. Tres Calme
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 2. Allegretto
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 3. Tres Modere
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 4. Lent Et Grave
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 5. Tranquille
No. 6. Anime Et Rythme
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 7. Modere
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 8. Decide
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 9. Modere (Melancolique)
10 Inventions, Op. 41b: No. 10. Tres Anime
2 Pièces, H. 244: No. 1. Lento
2 Pièces, H. 244: No. 2. Allegro Con Brio

UPC: 747313336470
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 10.9.15
Format: CD

Durey / Christopher Lewis D - 20th Century Harpsichord Music (CD)