Grappa musikkforlag Forqueray: "Pieces de Viole mises en Pieces de Clavecin"

The complete harpsichord music of Forqueray is a powerful statement from one of the great harpsichordists and Early Music personalities of today. This music really triggers Ketil Haugsand - and the result is stunning.

The front cover of the release display the framework of instrument used in the recording, placed in a vertical position it is reminiscent of a gamba. And the music on this double disc stems from both the gamba and the harpsichord, and the story behind it is a dramatic one.

Jealousy

In the late 1600s, the music family Forqueray was well established at the court of The Sun King Louis XIV. The new Italian style was the latest fashion, and father Antoine was a gamba virtuoso. His son Jean Baptiste very quickly developed an even greater talent, evolving into the new favourite of the king. The father developed an enormous jealousy towards his son and had him imprisoned under false accusations in 1715 - and even exiled from France ten years later.

Jackpot

When father Antoine died, it only took two years before his son published the outstanding music for gamba written by his father, adding his own transcriptions and adaptations for the harpsichord. This combination turned out to make tremendous economical sense as the name of his father and the gamba gave tremendous credibility, while the harpsichord was the new and hot instrument at the time. The composer himself comments in letters that to preserve the original character of the pieces, they are put a little deep in the register. The result is a full-bodied sound that really grabs hold of the listener.

Professor Ketil Haugsand

Ketil Haugsand, professor of harpsichord at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, counts as one of the great harpsichordists and Early Music personalities of today. The Norwegian born musician studied among others with Gustav Leonhardt at the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he was awarded the coveted "Prix d"Excellence". He has recorded extensively in repertoire including Bach, Rameau, Marchand, Seixas and Sousa Carvalho. Haugsand has built the instrument used on this recording himself, based on a Late-Flemish type instrument.

Ketil Haugsand G. B. Antoine / Jean Baptiste Forqueray

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Release:

10.06.2011
EAN:

7033662013173
Catalog Number:

PSC1317
Price Category:

2CDG

Early music | Complete

The Norwegian born musician studied among others with Gustav Leonhardt at the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he was awarded the coveted "Prix d"Excellence".

“- This is as genial, engaging and mature a musical imagination as I have heard in the Goldbergs. A truly exceptional achievement. [Grammophone on Bach: Goldberg Variations PSC1192]“