Johann Jakob Froberger – Suites for Harpsichord, volume 1
Gilbert Rowland is one of Europe’s most senior and accomplished exponents of the harpsichord. Following his critically acclaimed 6-CD series of the Harpsichord Suites of Handel for Divine Art, he moved to the Athene imprint specialising now in baroque music and ‘period’ instruments for his well received disc of Suites by Johann Mattheson.
This 2-CD set is the first volume in a projected complete survey of the Harpsichord Suites by Johann Jakob Froberger, whose organ and harpsichord music is individual in nature and ground breaking – he was one of the first composers to settle the ‘dance-movement’ style of Suite taken up by Couperin, Bach, and Handel among many others. There are 12 Suites in this collection.
Gilbert Rowland plays a 2 manual French style harpsichord made by Andrew Wooderson after an instrument by Goemans (Paris, 1750)
Track Listing
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Johann Jakob Froberger (1616-1667):
Disc A:
- Harpsichord Suite in C major, FbWV 612 - I. Lamento (5:26)
- Harpsichord Suite in C major, FbWV 612 - II. Gigue (1:16)
- Harpsichord Suite in C major, FbWV 612 - III. Courant (1:47)
- Harpsichord Suite in C major, FbWV 612 - IV. Sarabande (2:36)
- Harpsichord Suite in G minor, FbWV 618 - I. Allemande (3:33)
- Harpsichord Suite in G minor, FbWV 618 - II. Gigue (1:17)
- Harpsichord Suite in G minor, FbWV 618 - III. Courante (1:48)
- Harpsichord Suite in G minor, FbWV 618 - IV. Sarabande (3:18)
- Harpsichord Suite in E flat major, FbWV 631 - I. Allemande (4:53)
- Harpsichord Suite in E flat major, FbWV 631 - II. Courante (2:10)
- Harpsichord Suite in E flat major, FbWV 631 - III. Sarabande (2:10)
- Harpsichord Suite in E flat major, FbWV 631 - IV. Gigue (1:33)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 627 - I. Allemande (3:19)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 627 - II. Gigue (1:32)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 627 - III. Courante (1:35)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 627 - IV. Sarabande (3:26)
- Harpsichord Suite in A major, FbWV 608 - I. Allemande (2:58)
- Harpsichord Suite in A major, FbWV 608 - II. Gigue (1:19)
- Harpsichord Suite in A major, FbWV 608 - III. Courante (1:15)
- Harpsichord Suite in A major, FbWV 608 - IV. Sarabande (2:04)
- Harpsichord Suite in D minor, FbWV 602 - I. Allemande (3:14)
- Harpsichord Suite in D minor, FbWV 602 - II. Courant (1:45)
- Harpsichord Suite in D minor, FbWV 602 - III. Sarabanda (3:02)
- Harpsichord Suite in D minor, FbWV 602 - IV. Gigue (1:29) Disc B:
- Harpsichord Suite in G major, FbWV 606 - I. Air and Five Variations on “Auff die Maÿerin” (6:39)
- Harpsichord Suite in G major, FbWV 606 - II. Courant and Double sopra Maÿerin (2:36)
- Harpsichord Suite in G major, FbWV 606 - III. Saraband sopra Maÿerin (1:57)
- Harpsichord Suite in G major, FbWV 606 - IV. Saraband II (1:55)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 642 - I. Allemand (3:21)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 642 - II. Courant (1:15)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 642 - III. Saraband (1:42)
- Harpsichord Suite in E minor, FbWV 642 - IV. Gig (1:42)
- Harpsichord Suite in C minor, FbWV 619 - I. Allemande (3:36)
- Harpsichord Suite in C minor, FbWV 619 - II. Gigue (2:13)
- Harpsichord Suite in C minor, FbWV 619 - III. Courante (1:40)
- Harpsichord Suite in C minor, FbWV 619 - IV. Sarabande (3:08)
- Harpsichord Suite in F major, FbWV 604 - I. Allemanda (2:36)
- Harpsichord Suite in F major, FbWV 604 - II. Courant (1:22)
- Harpsichord Suite in F major, FbWV 604 - III. Saraband (1:55)
- Harpsichord Suite in F major, FbWV 604 - IV. Chiqve (2:33)
- Harpsichord Suite in A minor, FbWV 615 - I. Allemande (3:26)
- Harpsichord Suite in A minor, FbWV 615 - II. Gigue (2:17)
- Harpsichord Suite in A minor, FbWV 615 - III. Courante (1:51)
- Harpsichord Suite in A minor, FbWV 615 - IV. Sarabande (3:34)
- Harpsichord Suite in E major, FbWV 645 - I. Allemand (2:50)
- Harpsichord Suite in E major, FbWV 645 - II. Courant (1:50)
- Harpsichord Suite in E major, FbWV 645 - III. Saraband (1:41)
- Harpsichord Suite in E major, FbWV 645 - IV. Gig (3:19)
Reviews
“A glorious sound and enjoyable music recorded in a resonant acoustic, giving a truly luscious sound. Rowland plays with energy and a good forward drive.
” —David Griffel
“A systematic collection of twelve of Froberger’s suites: Handel and Bach studied his music, and Mozart copied out his Hexachord Fantasia. Rowland’s detailed notes on each suite were very helpful, pointing out interesting features in each suite. This set is expertly recorded.
” —Elizabeth Rees
“Rowland performs with care and excellent tempos. The registrations are all calculated to provide the necessary contrast, while the ornamentation is done with exquisite taste and a deft touch. All in all, this is an excellent disc and one that should be in any collection. It does Froberger proud.
” —Bertil van Boer
“Nice music played well… quite lively in a laid-back sort of way.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Rowland plays 12 suites with all repeats. The unspecified mild temperament sounds like Vallotti’s. It fits the geniality of Rowland’s interpretation. It makes a favourable impression overall. When he finishes the series it should be a reliable reference set.
” —Bradley Lehman
“One of the finest recordings of Froberger’s harpsichord music I have heard, with a wonderful-sounding instrument and magnificent playing from Rowland.
” —Stuart Sillitoe
“There are 12 Suites in this collection, played brilliantly by veteran harpsichordist Gilbert Rowland. This is a welcome exploration of the work of a composer who has been called the Chopin of the seventeenth century.
” —John Pitt
“The sheer variety of the music, its typically “sunny disposition”, its sometimes surprising intensity and often intimate mood make for an enjoyable and satisfying musical experience. The sound is superb.
” —John France
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