|
THE COMPLETE HARPSICHORD WORKS PREMIER RECORDING
|
The keyboard works of his famous contemporaries Purcell, Blow and Locke were published during
their lifetimes, whereas few of those by Croft were available in any reliable form until the
first modern edition, published in 1974. There are 19 suites, a Trumpet Overture, a Chaconne
and a Sarabrand, and for this recording the remaining small miscellaneous pieces have been
gathered into three new suites, or incorporated into existing ones.
Three instruments were used for the recording: a harpsichord after Nicholas Blanchet (Paris,
1693) by David Law (1989), pictured on the CD cover above; a spinet after Thomas Hitchcock the
younger (early 1700s) by Alex Temple (1984), pictured left; and a Virginal by David Law (1987)
after 17th-century English originals, pictured above right.
During his lifetime William Croft was organist at the Chapel Royal and at Westminster Abbey.
His reputation now rests largely on his church music, although he also wrote incidental music
for plays performed at Drury Lane Theatre.
This first complete recording of Croft's keyboard music shows it to be strongly melodic,
infectiously rhythmic and possessing an individual warmth.
Reviews:
'Rhodes allies a fine technique - delightfully fresh articulation, tasteful ornaments - to
shapely phrasing and lively, rhythmical dances. He uses three instruments: a spinet,
charmingly gentle; virginals, rich and warm. There is also a two-manual harpsichord which
allows some clever registration. The recording captures a sense of intimacy while avoiding
excessive mechanical clatter.'
Performance: Five stars.
Sound: Four stars.
BBC Music Magazine
'I thoroughly enjoyed both your playing and the way the sound of the instruments was captured.
You have done a splendid job with Croft and are to be congratulated.'
Igor Kipnis
'These are spirited performances of very engaging music.'
Gramophone
'Julian Rhodes endows the music with many shades of nuance, both through articulation, and in
the case of the pieces played on the Blanchet copy, with imaginative registration. Rarely
have I heard the buff stop used as much as it is here, and never to such good effect, combined
with the 4' or contrasted with an open 8' on the other manual. Rhodes demonstrates he has the
chops to play the music whatever way his imagination suggests, but it's a pleasant relief to
find him relaxing into some of the movements' simple pleasures.'
Joseph Spencer, "The Musical Offering", USA
'An excellent young artist... who impresses by his neat, alert articulation, rhythmic
vitality and intelligent phrasing.'
Goldberg Magazine
'It's clear that Julian Rhodes is an extremely impressive player.'
Lionel Salter
'What engaging music, and so commandingly done by Julian Rhodes. The recording is splendid.'
Eric Parkin
|
Volume 1 - JMSCD 6
1. Suite No. 1 in C-major
2. Chaconne in A-minor
3. Suite No. 15 in A-major
4. Suite No. 12 in F-major
5. Sarabrand in F
6. Suite No. 7 in E-flat-major
7. Suite No. 11 in E-minor
8. Suite No. 5 in C-minor
9. Suite No. 13 in G-major
10. Suite No. 4 in C-minor
11. Suite No. 10 in E-minor
12. Trumpet Overture
Total playing time: 76.57
|
Volume 2 - JMSCD 7
1. Suite No. 16 in A-major
2. Suite No. 9 in E-minor
3. Suite No. 14 in G-minor
4. Suite in C-major
5. Suite No. 19 in F-minor
6. Suite No. 18 in D-minor
7. Suite No. 3 in C-minor
8. Suite in G-major/minor
9. Suite No. 8 in E-major
10. Suite No. 17 in B-minor
11. Suite No. 6 in D-minor
12. Suite in D-major
Total playing time: 78.51
|
In August 1998 J. Martin Stafford, owner of Ismeron Records,
invited Julian to record the complete harpsichord works of
William Croft. The venue chosen was Lower Pulworthy, Devon.
Click here to see some
photographs of the recording 'team'.
Return to front page