Composer: George Frideric Handel
Performer: Asako Ogawa
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: First Hand
Catalogue: FHR142
Release: 2023
Size: 949 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Keyboard Suite, HWV 426 in A major
01. I. Prelude
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Gigue
Keyboard Suite, HWV 431 in F sharp minor
05. I. Prelude
06. II. Largo
07. III. Allegro
08. IV. Gigue: Presto
Keyboard Suite, HWV 430 in E major ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’
09. I. Prelude
10. II. Allemande
11. III. Courante
12. IV. Air and Variations, ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’
Keyboard Suite, HWV 429 in E minor
13. I. Allegro
14. II. Allemande
15. III. Courante
16. IV. Sarabande
17. V. Gigue
18. Keyboard Suite, HWV 435 (Chaconne) in G major
Keyboard Suite, HWV 427 in F major
19. I. Adagio
20. II. Allegro
21. III. Adagio
22. IV. Allegro
Keyboard Suite, HWV 428 in D minor
23. I. Prelude (Presto)
24. II. Allegro
25. III. Allemande
26. IV. Courante
27. V. Air and Variations
28. VI. Presto
Keyboard Suite, HWV 433 in F minor
29. I. Prelude (Adagio)
30. II. Allegro
31. III. Allemande
32. IV. Courante
33. V. Gigue
Keyboard Suite, HWV 432 in G minor
34. I. Overture
35. II. Andante
36. III. Allegro
37. IV. Sarabande
38. V. Gigue
39. VI. Passacaille
The London-based Japanese harpsichordist Asako Ogawa has recorded Hande’s 8 Greatl Suites for Harpsichord on a rich sounding instrument in a perfect acoustic, showcasing her brilliant technique and engrossing interpretation. This release follows on from her critically acclaimed debut for FHR, the 6 Partitas of J.S. Bach (FHR92). Ogawa is one of the today’s most versatile performers on the keyboard, from virginals, harpsichord, fortepiano to modern piano. ‘Bach Partitas with refined control’ – The Independent, 4 Stars ‘…her playing radiated excitement, and a vivid sense of the character of each individual piece’. – BBC Music Magazine, 4 Stars Like Bach and Scarlatti, Handel was a virtuoso keyboard player, but his concentration on opera and oratorio has perhaps obscured this fact for many. He wrote keyboard music throughout his life, his output including some 22 suites for keyboard. Eight of these, known as the Great Suites, and recorded on this album, have been particularly admired since they were first published by John Cluer in London 1720 under the title Suites de Pieces pour le Clavecin. The Suites demonstrate the composer’s absorption of many different influences including Italian and French styles but they also have a very German feeling for counterpoint.