New Classics
German Baroque composer, keyboard virtuoso and organist Johann Jakob Froberger was born in 1616 in Stuttgart, where his father was court Kapellmeister. His family later moved to Vienna and Jacob later studied in Rome with Athanasius Kircher before travelling to Paris, where he became acquainted with composers such as Couperin and Gaultier. Froberger himself became one of the most famous composers of the era, even though only two of his many compositions were published during his lifetime. He is often credited as being the creator of the Baroque dance suite and he was among the first composers to focus equally on both harpsichord/clavichord and organ, blending Italian and French genres and techniques with quintessentially ‘German’ style music. He paved the way for J S Bach’s elaborate contributions to the genre and influenced almost every major composer in Europe, including Pachelbel, Buxtehude, Handel and Beethoven. His keyboard works are often played on harpsichord and some, like the suites, were specifically written for that instrument. Renowned Scottish musician Gilbert Rowland is one of Europe’s most senior and accomplished exponents of the harpsichord. Following his critically acclaimed six-CD series of the Harpsichord Suites of Handel for Divine Art, this two-CD on the Athene label is the second volume in a projected complete recording of the Harpsichord Suites by Johann Jakob Froberger, whose music is individual in nature and ground breaking – he was one of the first composers to settle the ‘dance-movement’ style. There are twelve Suites in this collection, with Gilbert Rowland playing a two manual French style harpsichord made by Andrew Wooderson after an instrument by Goemans (Paris, 1750). These are thrilling and authoritative recordings by Gilbert Rowland of wonderful music by a much sought-after composer.
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