Mattheson / Simonetto 12 Suites For Harpsichord CD

Better known now as a hugely influential theorist and codifier of the principles and performance practice of Baroque music, Johann Mattheson (1681-1764) was not just a scholar but a highly accomplished composer. This album of 12 harpsichord suites offers ample evidence of his creative gifts. The suites were published in two volumes in London in 1714. When Handel heard of this publication, he sent for a copy and in his own words, 'without hesitation, played it through': no mean compliment! Doubtless Handel recognized a kindred spirit. Mattheson's own style is genial and fluent, tending towards the more audience-pleasing character of Handel's suites rather than the more rigorous keyboard music of Bach. These suites also have their light-hearted and humorous moments, qualities which characterize many of Telemann's instrumental works: indeed it's notable how free Mattheson's music is from the pedantic and academic character of at least some of his writing. Several suites open with a prelude of showy, toccata-like character before the standard Baroque sequence of dance movements such as vigorous and syncopated gigues and gentle sarabandes. The last three suites are the grandest of the twelve, opening with spacious Overtures or in the case of No.10 a symphony, rejoicing in both counterpoint and a sense of high ceremony. Within the 12th are embedded adaptations of three pieces by Mattheson's contemporary Georg Ludwig B?hm: a stylish example of the borrowing that was common practice at the time.

1. I. Prelude 2. II. Allemande - III. Double 3. IV. Courante - V. Double 4. VI. Sarabande 5. VII. Gique 6. I. Tocatine 7. II. Allemande 8. III. Courante 9. IV. Gique 10. V. Air 11. I. Allemande 12. II. Courante 13. III. Sarabande - IV. Double 14. V. Gique 15. I. Allemande 16. II. Courante 17. III. Courante ? la Francoise 18. IV. Sarabande 19. V. Gique 20. VI. Menuet 21. I. Fantasie 22. II. Allemande 23. III. Double 24. IV. Courante 25. V. Air 26. VI. Double 27. VII. Second Double 28. VIII. Menuet 29. I. Fantasie 30. II. Allemande 31. III. Courante 32. IV. Air - Double 33. V. Gique 34. VI. Menuet 35. I. Prelude 36. II. Allemande 37. III. Courante 38. IV. Gique 39. V. Menuet 40. I. Allemande - II. Double 41. III. Courante - IV. Double 42. V. Sarabande 43. VI. Gique 44. I. Boutade 45. II. Allemande 46. III. Courante I 47. IV. Courante II 48. V. Air 49. VI. Loure 50. VII. Gique 51. I. Symphonie 52. II. Allemande 53. III. Courante 54. IV. Sarabande 55. V. Gique 56. I. Fugue 57. II. Ouverture 58. III. Allemande 59. IV. Courante 60. V. Sarabande 61. VI. Menuet 62. I. Ouverture 63. II. Allemande 64. III. Courante 65. IV. Sarabande - V. Double I - VI. Double II - VII. Double III 66. VIII. Gique 67. IX. Menuet I 68. X. Menuet II