Release Date: 01 August 2003
Label: Hyperion Records Ltd
Packaging Type: Fat Double (a 2.5cm thick jewel case, fits several CDs)
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 034571174211
Description
Let us not be too pious!âeven in the presence of music so full of religious referenceâthe notes for the present issue refer to the composer, born near Amsterdam and later known as the âOrpheus of Amsterdamâ, as a "clubbable man" and make the observation that organ recitals were used to keep people out of inns and taverns! They could have worse consequences: the English composer Peter Philips came to hear Sweelinck play and, as a Catholic, found himself under arrest. Such is the background of this varied and somewhat neglected music. It ranges from large-scale fantasies to small dance forms, often with a sense of verve in the composer's inventiveness of harmonies and form. His legendary ability to fashion variations by improvising at the keyboard are evident in the examples here, based both on secular and sacred melodiesâeven on plainchantâwhich are as full of life and character as the Dutch street-scene paintings of the period.
An important set of discs full of surprises and delights, all, as ever, expertly played by Christopher Herrick.
Tracklisting
Roberto Prosseda, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Nir Kabaretti
The Brabant Ensemble / Stephen Rice
Steven Isserlis
The Nash Ensemble
MultiPiano Ensemble, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin / Ivor Bolton
Marc-Andre Hamelin
Marc-Andre Hamelin, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton
Gothic Voices / Christopher Page
Paul Barritt, Richard Lester, Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
Christopher Herrick
