Sweelinck: Keyboard Works

Description

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) was one of the most influential composers of the Late-Renaissance and Early-Baroque. He was organist of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam for 44 years. His influence was enormous, he attracted composers from many European countries to Amsterdam to learn his art. Even the great Johann Sebastian Bach acknowledged his superior craftsmanship. Sweelinck's keyboard music is divided into 4 groups: Fantasias, Toccatas, Chorale variations (sacred works), Variations on Dances (secular works). Traditionally Dances were performed on the harpsichord, Chorale Variations on the organ. Fantasias, Toccatas, Fugues and Ricercari had only a non-specific "keyboard" destination. This new recording features a fine selection of Sweelinck's keyboard works, played on the modern piano, a justifiable practice, as Sweelinck himself in many cases did not specify the instrument for his compositions. As is often the case when transcribing good music for another instrument: the strength and beauty of the music stays intact, and a new light shines on these timeless masterpieces. After studying in his home town of Cagliari Andrea Vivanet went to Hungary to study with Balazs Szokolay and Istvan Lantos at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest where he obtained the Master Degree with honors in piano performance. During this period he also attended classes with Miklos Perenyi, Andras Keller, Gabor Csalog and Ferenc Rados. He took part in masterclasses with Franco Rossi, Mikhail Voskresenky and Paul Badura Skoda.