Anders Muskens, the performer, is a Canadian fortepianist, harpsichordist, conductor, and musicologist focusing on 18th- and early 19th-century performance traditions.
Compositional Technique
Beck's sonatas demonstrate knowledge of the French harpsichord school, evident in the prevalence of character pieces, rondeau form, and majeur-minore duality.
Instruments
This album features a square pianoforte by Longman & Broderip, crafted in London in 1788 and restored in 2018, which incorporates John Geib's innovative 'grasshopper' mechanical action.
Performer Biography
Muskens is the founder and director of Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester, an ensemble dedicated to reviving the music of the Mannheim Court Orchestra.
Composer Biography
Franz Ignaz Beck, a German composer, violinist, and keyboardist, was an important representative of the Mannheim School working in France.
Composer Biography
Beck's early musical education was supported by Elector Carl Theodor, a prominent figure in German history known for his cultural patronage.
Composition History
Beck's Op. 5 keyboard sonatas, published around 1772 in Paris, are charming and modern pieces reflecting his compositional skills during his time in Bordeaux.
