Froberger: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 1

Featuring

Gilbert Rowland
Johann Jakob Froberger

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Compositional Technique

Froberger was adventurous in his use of unusual keys for his Suites, such as C minor, E flat major, E major, F minor, F sharp minor, B flat major, and B minor.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Froberger's compositional style for his Suites was influenced by French lute music, featuring striking harmonies, irregular phrase lengths, and unique cadences.

Recording & Production

This recording features a 2-manual French style harpsichord built by Andrew Wooderson in 2005, modeled after an instrument by Goermans from Paris, 1750.

Composer Biography

Froberger, a prominent 17th-century composer, was born into a family of court musicians in Stuttgart, and all four of his brothers also became professional musicians.

Performer Biography

Gilbert Rowland, the harpsichordist on this recording, is recognized as one of Britain's leading harpsichordists, having debuted at Fenton House in 1970 and Wigmore Hall in 1973.

Composer Biography

Froberger served as an organist at the Court of Vienna under Ferdinand III, who funded his studies with the renowned composer Frescobaldi in Rome.

Composition History

Only twelve of Froberger's Suites survive in his own handwriting, six from 1649 and six from 1656, and these manuscripts are dedicated to Ferdinand III and are housed in the Austrian National Library.