Böhm: Complete Harpsichord and Organ Music - CD

ENGLISH

<br><br>Spanning 4 CDs and presenting over three hours of absorbing listening, this charming release explores the musical output of Georg Böhm – one of the most important German organists and composers around the turn of the 18th century, and who is considered to have had a major influence on the training of Johann Sebastian Bach.<br /> <br /> The compilation focuses on the main nucleus of Böhm’s output, his works for keyboard, and divides equally into those for harpsichord and/or organ. Of chief interest among the pieces for the former instrument are the 11 Suites, works that were probably written for domestic performance, and these are joined by a range of other genres also common to the period. From the French Overture style of the Prelude in F to the art of variation that is the Chaconne in G, Böhm’s compositions abound in inventive detail, and we soon move onto the works for organ – where the composer’s most important contribution to North German keyboard music, that of the chorale partita, comes to the fore.<br /> <br /> Performing all these works is Simone Stella, one of today’s most celebrated early music specialists and whose discography already includes two recordings for Brilliant Classics (Buxtehude’s Complete Organ Music 94422; Buxtehude’s Complete Harpsichord Music 94312). The release offers a fascinating insight into what is perhaps a lesser-known facet of the Baroque repertoire, and is certain to delight keyboard music aficionados.<br /> <br /> Other information:<br /> - Recorded 22–24 September 2011, OnClassical Studio, Pove del Grappa (CDs 1 & 2); 11–14 May 2012, Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate, Padova (CDs 3 & 4).<br /> - Harpsichord: after Johannes Ruckers, Antwerp 1638; organ: Francesco Zanin 2006 (German Style).<br /> - Böhm developed the so-called “Chorale Partita”, variations on the Lutheran chorale, in the form of a multi-movement partita. In this he was of great influence on the young Johann Sebastian Bach.<br /> - Simone Stella continues his survey of Pre-Bachian German keyboard works with the complete harpsichord and organ works of Georg Böhm (1661-1733). He is one of the leading harpsichordists and organists of Italy, his earlier issue of the complete keyboard works of Buxtehude received uniform praise in the international press: “Thoroughly imaginative and engaging” (Fanfare), “Gelungen und überzeugend” (Klassic.com).” <br /> - Includes extensive notes on the composer and the music (English and Italian).<br /> - Includes a biography of the artist.