Composer: George Frideric Handel
Performer: Gilbert Rowland
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Divine Art
Catalogue: DDA21225
Release: 2015
Size: 839 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Keyboard Suite in A Major, HWV 426
01. I. Prelude
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Gigue
Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 447
05. I. Allemande
06. II. Courante
07. III. Sarabande
08. IV. Gigue
Keyboard Suite in G Minor, HWV 452
09. I. Allemande
10. II. Courante
11. III. Sarabande
12. IV. Gigue
Keyboard Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 440
13. I. Allemande
14. II. Courante
15. III. Sarabande
16. IV. Gigue
Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 448
17. I. Overture
18. II. Allemande
19. III. Courante
20. IV. Sarabande I – V. Sarabande II
21. VI. Chaconne
CD 02
Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 449
01. I. Prelude
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Sarabande
05. V. Aria and 7 Variations
06. VI. Gigue
07. VII. Menuet
Keyboard Suite in G Minor, HWV 453
08. I. Overture
09. II. Entree
10. III. Menuets I-II
11. IV. Chaconne
Keyboard Suite in C Minor, HWV 445
12. I. Prelude
13. II. Allemande
14. III. Courante
Keyboard Suite in G Minor, HWV 451
15. I. Allemande
16. II. Courante
Keyboard Suite in G Major, HWV 442
17. I. Preludio
18. II. Chaconne and 62 Variations
Handel’s solo keyboard music has for too long been overshadowed by his operas, oratorios, and orchestral music. This comparative neglect seems unjust in view of the considerably large quantity of keyboard music which exists amongst his massive output. This third double CD set completes Gilbert Rowland’s survey of these groundbreaking works which began to free the form from the formal constraints of “Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue”. Gilbert Rowland first studied the harpsichord with Millicent Silver. Whilst still a student at the Royal College of Music, he made his debut at Fenton House 1970 and first appeared at the Wigmore Hall in 1973. Recitals, appearances at major festivals in several countries, together with regular broadcasts, have helped to establish his reputation as one of Britain’s leading harpsichordists. Reviewing volume 1, John Collins of The Consort said “The standard of playing is very high indeed, with some crisp articulation, appropriately added ornamentation in the repeats … this is a most enjoyable recording.”