Better known now as a hugely influential theorist and codifier of the principles and performance practice of Baroque music, Johann Mattheson (1681-1764) was not just a scholar but a highly accomplished composer. This album of 12 harpsichord suites offers ample evidence of his creative gifts. The suites were published in two volumes in London in 1714. When Handel heard of this publication, he sent for a copy and in his own words, 'without hesitation, played it through': no mean compliment! Doubtless Handel recognized a kindred spirit. Mattheson's own style is genial and fluent, tending towards the more audience-pleasing character of Handel's suites rather than the more rigorous keyboard music of Bach. These suites also have their light-hearted and humorous moments, qualities which characterize many of Telemann's instrumental works: indeed it's notable how free Mattheson's music is from the pedantic and academic character of at least some of his writing. Several suites open with a prelude of showy, toccata-like character before the standard Baroque sequence of dance movements such as vigorous and syncopated gigues and gentle sarabandes. The last three suites are the grandest of the twelve, opening with spacious Overtures or in the case of No.10 a symphony, rejoicing in both counterpoint and a sense of high ceremony. Within the 12th are embedded adaptations of three pieces by Mattheson's contemporary Georg Ludwig BÃ¶hm: a stylish example of the borrowing that was common practice at the time.

Tracklist:

Suite I In D Minor: I. Prelude
Suite I In D Minor: II-III. Allemande + Double
Suite I In D Minor: IV-V. Courante + Double
Suite I In D Minor: VI. Sarabande
Suite I In D Minor: VII. Gique
Suite II In A Major: I. Tocatine
Suite II In A Major: II. Allemande
Suite II In A Major: III. Courante
Suite II In A Major: IV. Gique
Suite II In A Major: V. Air
Suite III In D Major: I. Allemande
Suite III In D Major: II. Courante
Suite III In D Major: III-IV. Sarabande + Double
Suite III In D Major: V. Gique
Suite IV In G Minor: I. Allemande
Suite IV In G Minor: II. Courante
Suite IV In G Minor: III. Courante À La Francoise
Suite IV In G Minor: IV. Sarabande
Suite IV In G Minor: V. Gique
Suite IV In G Minor: VI. Menuet
Suite V In C Minor: I. Fantasie
Suite V In C Minor: II. Allemande
Suite V In C Minor: III. Double
Suite V In C Minor: IV. Courante
Suite V In C Minor: V. Air
Suite V In C Minor: VI. Double
Suite V In C Minor: VII. Second Double
Suite V In C Minor: VIII. Menuet
Suite VI In E-Flat Major: I. Fantasie
Suite VI In E-Flat Major: II. Allemande
Suite VI In E-Flat Major: III. Courante
Suite VI In E-Flat Major: IV. Air + Double
Suite VI In E-Flat Major: V. Gique
Suite VI In E-Flat Major: VI. Menuet
Suite VII In B-Flat Major: I. Prelude
Suite VII In B-Flat Major: II. Allemande
Suite VII In B-Flat Major: III. Courante
Suite VII In B-Flat Major: IV. Gique
Suite VII In B-Flat Major: V. Menuet
Suite VIII In D Minor: I-II. Allemande + Double
Suite VIII In D Minor: III-IV. Courante + Double
Suite VIII In D Minor: V. Sarabande
Suite VIII In D Minor: VI. Gique
Suite IX In G Minor: I. Boutade
Suite IX In G Minor: II. Allemande
Suite IX In G Minor: III. Courante I
Suite IX In G Minor: IV. Courante II
Suite IX In G Minor: V. Air
Suite IX In G Minor: VI. Loure
Suite IX In G Minor: VII. Gique
Suite X In E Minor: I. Symphonie
Suite X In E Minor: II. Allemande
Suite X In E Minor: III. Courante
Suite X In E Minor: IV. Sarabande
Suite X In E Minor: V. Gique
Suite XI In C Major: I. Fugue
Suite XI In C Major: II. Ouverture
Suite XI In C Major: III. Allemande
Suite XI In C Major: IV. Courante
Suite XI In C Major: V. Sarabande
Suite XI In C Major: VI. Menuet
Suite XII In F Minor: I. Ouverture
Suite XII In F Minor: II. Allemande
Suite XII In F Minor: III. Courante
Suite XII In F Minor: IV-V-VI-VII. Sarabande +Double I + Double II + Double III
Suite XII In F Minor: VIII. Gique
Suite XII In F Minor: IX. Menuet I
Suite XII In F Minor: X. Menuet II

UPC: 5028421955889
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 6.22.18
Format: CD

Alessandro Simonetto - 12 Suites for Harpsichord (CD)