Baroque Piano Collection

Baroque Piano Collection
Composer Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist Andrea Vivanet, Yuan Sheng, Klara Würtz, Alessandro Deljavan, Denys Proshayev, Scipione Sangiovanni, Paolo Zentilin, Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy, Andrea Molteni, Fernanda Damiano, Melani Mestre piano
Format 12 CD
Cat. number 97483
EAN code 5028421974835
Release September 2024

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About this release

Masterpieces of Baroque piano literature, in critically acclaimed recordings by pianists with a fine sensibility for the 18th century. Recordings made between 2005 and 2023; new booklet essay; an ideal budget introduction to the world of the Baroque keyboard, full of elegant dances and virtuoso playing.

This survey of Baroque composers ranges from the high-point of 18th-century keyboard writing, the Goldberg Variations of Bach, to little known gems such as the sonatas by Espona, Galuppi and Giustini. It places the three great masters of the Baroque – Bach, Handel and Rameau – in the context of their influential predecessor, Sweelinck, and then those composers such as Galuppi and Espona who write in a new, galant style which overlaps with the Classicism of Mozart.

Some of the artists on these recordings are still in their 20s, having grown up with a culture of historically informed performance practice which they then bring to their handling of a modern piano. Others, such as Yuan Sheng and Wolfram-Schmitt Leonardy, have been playing these pieces for many decades, and bring to them a career’s worth of experience in teasing out the meaning and rhetoric of 18th-century phrasing and harmony on an instrument which none of the composers ever encountered.

Handel is represented not by the familiar Eight ‘Great’ Suites but by an imaginative collection of earlier suites. Scarlatti’s fertile invention is generously celebrated with 35 of his sonatas. Bach predominates, naturally, with the Six Partitas and the Italian Concerto as well as the Goldbergs, thus representing the stylistic range of his output. Keyboard styles from all over mainland Europe make an appearance, in the Dutch/Italian nobility of Sweelinck, the Hispanic-Italian flavour of Scarlatti, the French accents of Bach and Handel, and native French of Rameau, and the exuberantly Italian flourishes and proto-operatic gestures of Galuppi and Giustini. There is something here for everyone.

‘Molteni, a young Italian pianist, plays Scarlatti with ringing tone and virtuosic agility.’ Fanfare

‘Damiano, a supremely talented 20-something… has a Romantic approach to the music… a first-rate disc.’

‘The deep resonance of Mestre’s bass lends a singular affect to the ostinato richness of the texture.’

‘Sensitive and often lively performances [by] Zentilin, whose interpretations have both solemnity and considerable fire… Well recommended.’

‘Scipione Sangiovanni… often performs this music as I imagine a composer like Handel would have in his own day.’

‘Klára Würtz’s interpretive outlook has spirit and vivacity, but also a total sense of confidence and security… There are of course many fine recordings of this masterpiece, but among them this new one deserves to rank very highly.’


A highly attractive collection of Baroque keyboard works, from Sweelinck to Scarlatti, played on the modern piano!
The eternal question on what instrument keyboard music from the Baroque should be played will never be solved, historical evidence and personal tastes will never be fully reconciled over this hotly debated controversy.
By no means supplying a definitive answer to the question Brilliant Classics nevertheless proudly presents a wide selection of Baroque keyboard works, played on the modern piano. Ranging from the early Baroque of J.P. Sweelinck it traverses through works by J.S. Bach (Goldberg Variations, Italian Concerto Partitas), Handel (Suites), Rameau, Espona, Giustini, Galuppi and Scarlatti.
Played by excellent pianists: Klára Würtz (Gramophone Editor’s Choice, 10/10 Classicstoday), Yuan Sheng, Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy (Gramophone Editor’s Choice), Andrea Molteni, and others.

Listening

Track list

Disk 1

  1. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata noni toni, SwWV297
  2. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Echo fantasia (à 4: Écho), SwWV261
  3. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata, SwWV283
  4. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Variations on “More Palatino”, SwWV318
  5. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata secondi toni, SwWV292
  6. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Variations on “Mein junges Leben hat ein End”, SwWV324
  7. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata à 4, SwWV298
  8. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Variations on “Onder een linde groen”, SwWV325
  9. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata 9 toni, SwWV296
  10. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Variations on “Soll es sein”, SwWV330
  11. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata primi toni, SwWV286
  12. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Variations on “ballo del granduca”, SwWV319
  13. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Toccata, SwWV285
  14. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Echo fantasia, SwWV253

Disk 2

  1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: I. Praeludium
  2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: II. Allemande
  3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: III. Corrente
  4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: IV. Sarabande
  5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: V. Menuet I&II
  6. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VI. Giga
  7. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: I. Sinfonia
  8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: II. Allemande
  9. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: III. Courante
  10. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: IV. Sarabande
  11. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: V. Rondeaux
  12. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: VI. Capriccio
  13. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: I. Ouverture
  14. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: II. Allemande
  15. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: III. Courante
  16. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: IV. Sarabande
  17. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: V. Aria
  18. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: VI. Menuet
  19. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828: VII. Gigue

Disk 3

  1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: I. Fantasia
  2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: II. Allemande
  3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: III. Corrente
  4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: IV. Sarabande
  5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: V. Burlesca
  6. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: VI. Scherzo
  7. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 3 in A Minor, BWV 827: VII. Gigue
  8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: I. Praeambulum
  9. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: II. Allemande
  10. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: III. Corrente
  11. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: IV. Sarabande
  12. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: V. Tempo di menuetta
  13. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: VI. Passepied
  14. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: VII. Gigue
  15. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: I. Toccata
  16. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: II. Allemanda
  17. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: III. Corrente
  18. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: IV. Sarabande
  19. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: V. Air
  20. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: VI. Tempo di gavotta
  21. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: VII. Gigue

Disk 4

  1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: I. Aria
  2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: II. Variatio 1
  3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: III. Variatio 2
  4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: IV. Variatio 3, canone all unisuono
  5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: V. Variatio 4
  6. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: VI. Variatio 5
  7. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: VII. Variatio 6, canone alla seconda
  8. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: VIII. Variatio 7, al tempo di giga
  9. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: IX. Variatio 8
  10. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: X. Variatio 9, canone alla terza
  11. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XI. Variatio 10, fugetta
  12. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XII. Variatio 11
  13. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XIII. Variatio 12, canone alla quarta
  14. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XIV. Variatio 13
  15. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XV. Variatio 14
  16. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XVI. Variatio 15, canone alla quinta andante
  17. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XVII. Variatio 16, ouverture
  18. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XVIII. Variatio 17
  19. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXIX. Variatio 18, canone alla sexta
  20. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXX. Variatio 19
  21. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXI. Variatio 20
  22. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXII. Variatio 21, canone alla settima
  23. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXIII. Variatio 22, allabreve
  24. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXIV. Variatio 23
  25. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXV. Variatio 24, canone all’ottava
  26. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXVI. Variatio 25, adagio
  27. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXVII. Variatio 26
  28. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXVIII. Variatio 27, canone alla nona
  29. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XXXIX. Variatio 28
  30. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XL. Variatio 29
  31. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XLI. Variatio 30, quodlibet
  32. Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: XLII. Aria da capo

Disk 5

  1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto in F Major in Italian Style, BWV 971: I. [No Tempo Indication]
  2. Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto in F Major in Italian Style, BWV 971: II. Andante
  3. Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto in F Major in Italian Style, BWV 971: III. Presto
  4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata in E Minor, BWV 914
  5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata in F-Sharp Minor, BWV 910
  6. Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata in G Major, BWV 916
  7. Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911
  8. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: I. Allemande
  9. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: II. Courante
  10. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: III. Gigue en rondeau I
  11. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: IV. Gigue en rondeau II
  12. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: V. Le rappel des oiseaux
  13. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: VI. Rigaudon I
  14. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: VII. Rigaudon II
  15. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: VIII. Double 2ème rigaudon
  16. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: IX. Musette en rondeau
  17. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: X. Tambourin
  18. Jean-Philippe Rameau: Suite in E Minor, RCT 2: XI. La villageoise

Disk 6

  1. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 434: I. Praeludium
  2. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 434: II. Sonata
  3. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 434: III. Aria con variazione
  4. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 434: IV. Minuetto
  5. George Frideric Handel: Ciaccona in G Major, HWV 435
  6. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 436: I. Allemande
  7. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 436: II. Allegro
  8. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 436: III. Air
  9. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 436: IV. Gigue
  10. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 436: V. Minuetto
  11. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 437: I. Allemande
  12. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 437: II. Courante
  13. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 437: III. Sarabande con variazione
  14. George Frideric Handel: Suite in D Minor, HWV 437: IV. Gigue
  15. George Frideric Handel: Suite in E Minor, HWV 438: I. Allemande
  16. George Frideric Handel: Suite in E Minor, HWV 438: II. Sarabande
  17. George Frideric Handel: Suite in E Minor, HWV 438: III. Gigue

Disk 7

  1. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Minor, HWV 439: I. Allemande
  2. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Minor, HWV 439: II. Courante
  3. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Minor, HWV 439: III. Gigue
  4. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 440: I. Allemande
  5. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 440: II. Courante
  6. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 440: III. Sarabande
  7. George Frideric Handel: Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 440: IV. Gigue
  8. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: I. Allemande
  9. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: II. Allegro
  10. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: III. Courante
  11. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: IV. Aria
  12. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: V. Minuetto
  13. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: VI. Gavotto
  14. George Frideric Handel: Suite in G Major, HWV 441: VII. Gigue
  15. George Frideric Handel: Ciaccona in G Major, HWV 442: I. Praeludium
  16. George Frideric Handel: Ciaccona in G Major, HWV 442: II. Ciaccona con variazioni

Disk 8

  1. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 1: I. Balletto. Spiritoso, ma non presto
  2. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 1: II. Corrente. Allegro
  3. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 1: III. Sarabanda. Grave
  4. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 1: IV. Giga. Presto
  5. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 1: V. Minuet. Affettuoso
  6. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 1: I. Grave
  7. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 1: II. Corrente. Allegro
  8. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 1: III. Giga. Grave
  9. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 1: IV. Giga. Presto
  10. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 1: V. Minuet
  11. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 3 in F Major, Op. 1: I. Siciliana. Affettuoso
  12. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 3 in F Major, Op. 1: II. Canzone
  13. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 3 in F Major, Op. 1: III. Andante, ma non presto
  14. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 3 in F Major, Op. 1: IV. Giga. Presto
  15. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 1: I. Preludia. Largo
  16. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 1: II. Presto
  17. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 1: III. Sarabanda. Largo
  18. Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 1: IV. Giga. Allegro

Disk 9

  1. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor, K.1: I. Allegro
  2. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor, K.32: I. Aria
  3. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, K.33
  4. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B Minor, K.87
  5. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, K.29: I. Presto
  6. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B Minor, K.27: I. Allegro
  7. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in G Major, K.427: I.Presto quanto sia possibile
  8. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in C Major, K.132: I. Cantabile
  9. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in E Minor, K.98: I. Allegrissimo
  10. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in E Major, K.135: I. Allegro
  11. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in E Major, K.162: I. Andante-allegro
  12. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in A Major, K.208: I. Adagio e cantabile
  13. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in A Major, K.39: I. Presto
  14. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in A Major, K.322: I. Allegro
  15. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in G Major, K.455: I. Allegro
  16. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in C Major, K.95
  17. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in F Minor, K.466: I. Andante moderato

Disk 10

  1. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in A Major, K.24
  2. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in A Minor, K.532
  3. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B-Flat Major, K.266
  4. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B-Flat Minor, K.131
  5. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B Major, K.262
  6. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in B Minor, K.173
  7. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in C Major, K.421
  8. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in C Minor, K.126
  9. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Major, K.33
  10. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in D Minor, K.138
  11. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in E Major, K.20
  12. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in E Minor, K.232
  13. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in F Major, K.17
  14. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in F Minor, K.184
  15. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in F-Sharp Major, K.319
  16. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in F-Sharp Minor, K.67
  17. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in G Major, K.425
  18. Domenico Scarlatti: Sonata in G Minor, K.546

Disk 11

  1. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 2 in C Minor: I. Larghetto
  2. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 2 in C Minor: II. Allegro (però non troppo)
  3. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 2 in C Minor: III. Allegro assai
  4. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 3 in A Major: I. Andante
  5. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 3 in A Major: II. Allegro
  6. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 3 in A Major: III. Allegro
  7. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major: I. Spiritoso
  8. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major: II. Allegro
  9. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 6 in E-Flat Major: III. Minué
  10. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 7 in G Minor: I. Largo
  11. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 7 in G Minor: II. Presto (allegro vivacissimo)
  12. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 7 in G Minor: III. Allegretto
  13. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major: I. Andante
  14. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major: II. Allegro
  15. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major: III. Grazioso
  16. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 10 in F Major: I. Andantino
  17. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 10 in F Major: II. Allegro
  18. Baldassare Galuppi: Piano Sonata No. 10 in F Major: III. Giga. Presto

Disk 12

  1. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 1 in D Minor
  2. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 2 in D Minor
  3. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 17 in A Minor
  4. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major
  5. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 4 in B-Flat Major
  6. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 5 in G Minor
  7. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 6 in G Minor
  8. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Minor
  9. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 11 in E-Flat Major
  10. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 12 in E-Flat Major
  11. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 7 in C Minor
  12. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 13 in G Major
  13. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 24 in G Major
  14. Manuel Espona: Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major