'Generally labelled as a Baroque instrument and thought to have disappeared with the French Revolution, the harpsichord flourished again in the first third of the 20th century and inspired original compositions': Justin Taylor offers us a 'personal' overview of the harpsichord in the 20th century. He has structured this album around four major concertos (Falla, Poulenc, Francaix, Gorecki) which are linked by pieces for solo harpsichord: Bartok, who, in his preface to Mikrokosmos, from which this Hommage to Bach is taken, suggests playing certain pieces on the harpsichord, Martinu and a new work by Stephane Gassot in reference to Ligeti... The programme concludes with a nod to Scott Joplin and his famous ragtimes. Always attentive and passionate about instruments, Justin Taylor chose to record the entire programme on a single instrument, a harpsichord built in the 1970s by Anthony Sidey, a hybrid model between Pleyel instruments and historical harpsichord making, which "gives a wide and highly varied range of colours". With this album, he follows in the footsteps of Wanda Landowska and Elisabeth Chojnacka, two pioneers who promoted the harpsichord in all it's modernity.

Tracklist:

Hommage A J.S.B (No. 79, Vol. III)
Concerto for Harpsichord and Instrumental Ensemble-I. Toccata I
Concerto for Harpsichord and Instrumental Ensemble-II. Toccata II
Concerto for Harpsichord and Instrumental Ensemble-III. Andantino
Concerto for Harpsichord and Instrumental Ensemble-IV. Menuet
Concerto for Harpsichord and Instrumental Ensemble-V. Finale
Bluesinuum
Harpsichord Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra, Op. 40-I. Allegro Molto
Harpsichord Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra, Op. 40-II. Vivace Marcatissimo
Concert ChampÃªtre for Harpsichord and Orchestra, FP 49-I. Allegro Molto
Concert ChampÃªtre for Harpsichord and Orchestra, FP 49-II. Andante
Concert ChampÃªtre for Harpsichord and Orchestra, FP 49-III. Finale
Two Impromptus for Harpsichord, H. 381-II. [...]
Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin and Cello-I. Allegro
Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin and Cello-II. Lento
Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin and Cello-III. Vivace
Maple Leaf Rag

UPC: 3701624510414
Label: Alpha
Release Date: 5.22.26
Format: CD

Justin Taylor - Clavecin Xx (CD)