Harpsichord Recital
In the mid-1990s Nicholas Parle was living and working in Europe from financial necessity, but returned each year to perform and record in Australia. This was his first CD for Tall Poppies, a popular selection of favourite harpsichord works.
Jean-Philippe Rameau composer
Domenico Scarlatti composer
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach composer
The programme opens with Bach’s Italian Concerto and continues with three character pieces from Rameau’s Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin. Six Scarlatti sonatas and two polonaises by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach complete the recital.
Parle plays a harpsichord by Bill Bright, recorded at St Scholastica’s, Glebe.
Reviews
The recording quality of this CD is excellent, with delightfully subtle reverberation added by the chapel interior… Parle's playing displays a strong sense of personal conviction… This is an interesting CD in which, on the one hand, Parle displays technical prowess and a self-confident approach to interpretative problems, and on the other, we are able to enjoy the sound of this exciting harpsichord [made by Bill Bright].
Parle confirms his high reputation with playing of great clarity and consistent impetus. The recording gives welcome prominence to the rich, firm lower-middle and bass registers of the Bright harpsichord.
Artists
Nicholas Parle
Nicholas Parle brings Bach’s Italian Concerto and Goldberg Variations, Rameau’s character pieces and Scarlatti sonatas to the harpsichord with clarity, drive and personal conviction.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and organist of the late Baroque. His sacred and secular music for choir, orchestra, organ and solo instruments remains among the foundations of the Western concert and church repertory.
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Rameau's harpsichord writing is theatre for the fingers: character pieces that cluck and whirl, doubles that spin a gavotte into pure virtuosity, and Pièces de clavecin en concerts where the keyboard stands equal with violin and flute rather than trailing as continuo.
Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757) was an Italian composer who spent much of his career at the Portuguese and Spanish courts. He is known almost exclusively for his 555 keyboard sonatas.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach wrote keyboard music that keeps the contrapuntal craft of his father while sounding freer and more improvisatory. His polonaises and the Concerto for two fortepianos stand among the most personal works of the Bach sons.
Tracks
- i. Allegro 4:33
- ii. Andante 5:56
- iii. Presto 4:34
- Les Triolets Jean-Philippe Rameau 4:19
- Les Sauvages Jean-Philippe Rameau 2:27
- La Poule Jean-Philippe Rameau 6:34
- Sonata in D Major, K. 140 Allegro Domenico Scarlatti 4:34
- Sonata in D Minor, K. 141 Allegro Domenico Scarlatti 4:20
- Sonata in A Major, K. 208 Adagio e cantabile Domenico Scarlatti 4:13
- Sonata in A Major, K. 209 Allegro Domenico Scarlatti 4:53
- Sonata in B Minor, K. 87 Domenico Scarlatti 6:13
- Sonata in D Major, K. 119 Allegro Domenico Scarlatti 6:33
- Polonaise in C Minor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach 4:44
- Polonaise in C Major Wilhelm Friedemann Bach 4:24
Italian Concerto, BWV 971 Johann Sebastian Bach
Performers
- Nicholas Parle · harpsichord
Contributors
Liner Notes
Nicholas Parle
Nicholas Parle brings Bach’s Italian Concerto and Goldberg Variations, Rameau’s character pieces and Scarlatti sonatas to the harpsichord with clarity, drive and personal conviction.
Where to listen
Harpsichord Recital is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Harpsichord Recital is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- TP057
- Total playing time
- 68 minutes 17 seconds
- Producer
- Belinda Webster
- Recording Engineer
- Belinda Webster
- Venue
- St Scholastica's, Glebe
- Credit
- Nicholas Parle
- Release date
- 9 Nov 1994
- Label
- Tall Poppies
- Musical work
copyright - © 1994 Tall Poppies Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1994 Tall Poppies Records
- Category
- Great Classics
- Genre
- Baroque
- Barcode
- EAN 9399000005728
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