Composer: George Frideric Handel
Performer: Michel Kiener
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Passacaille
Catalogue: PAS1147
Release: 2024
Size: 5.8 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A Major, HWV 426
01. I. Praeludium
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Gigue
Harpsichord Suite No. 2 in F Major, HWV 427
05. I. Adagio
06. II. Allegro
07. III. Adagio
08. IV. Allegro (Fugue)
Harpsichord Suite No. 3 in D Minor, HWV 428
09. I. Praeludium. Presto – Adagio
10. II. Allegro (Fugue)
11. III. Allemande
12. IV. Courante
13. Va. Air
14. Vb. Variation I
15. Vc. Variation II
16. Vd. Variation III
17. Ve. Variation IV
18. Vf. Variation V
19. VI. Presto
Harpsichord Suite No. 4 in E Minor, HWV 429
20. I. Allegro
21. II. Allemande
22. III. Courante
23. IV. Sarabande
24. V. Gigue
Harpsichord Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430
25. I. Praeludium
26. II. Allemande
27. III. Courante
28. IVa. Air “The Harmonious Blacksmith”
29. IVb. Variation I
30. IVc. Variation II
31. IVd. Variation III
32. IVe. Variation IV
33. IVf. Variation V
Harpsichord Suite No. 6 in F-Sharp Minor, HWV 431
34. I. Praeludium
35. II. Largo
36. III. Allegro
37. IV. Gigue. Presto
Harpsichord Suite No. 7 in G Minor, HWV 432
38. I. Ouverture. (Largo – Presto)
39. II. Andante
40. III. Allegro
41. IV. Sarabande
42. V. Gigue
43. VI. Passacaille
Harpsichord Suite No. 8 in F Minor, HWV 433
44. I. Praeludium. Adagio
45. II. Allegro
46. III. Allemande
47. IV. Courante
48. V. Gigue
Handel’s eight suites, published in London in 1720, are exemplary of his stylistic versatility and compositional innovation.
For example, they contain different types of suites, including traditional fourmovement suites and sonatas inspired by Corelli’s trio sonatas. The use of variations, fugues and other forms also underlines his compositional skill. The collection was well received throughout Europe and inspired composers such as Bach, Muffat and Rameau to include similar elements in their works. Swiss harpsichordist, Michel Kiener is a professor at the Conservatory of Geneva, while pursuing his activities as both a concert performer and an educator. His eclecticism and passion for chamber music shines through on this new recording.