This album is a co-production between cpo and Deutschlandfunk Köln, recorded in November 2013 at the Deutschlandfunk Sendesaal in Köln.
Interpretation
The performer, Matthias Kirschnereit, chose to play Handel's organ concertos on a modern Steinway grand piano, believing it could illuminate new artistic ideas within the scores.
Composition History
The 'Second Set' of six concertos published by John Walsh Jr. in 1740, which includes the concertos on this album, contained only two original organ works by Handel; the others were arrangements of his concerti grossi by an unknown individual.
Composer Biography
Handel was known for his genius in improvisation, enlivening his performances with embellishments and variations, a balance of set composition and spontaneity.
Instruments
Handel commissioned a unique two-manual combination instrument of harpsichord and organ, a 'claviorganum', costing 500 pounds sterling, which was about half the annual household budget of an English landed gentry member.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Handel, like J.S. Bach, often transcribed his own works for different instruments, showing flexibility and practicality in his choice of instrumentation.
Performer Biography
Matthias Kirschnereit, the pianist on this recording, is one of the few pianists to have recorded all of Mozart's piano concertos, a production that received international acclaim.
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Bach, J.S.: Piano Concertos BWV 1060, 1061, 1063 & 1065
Bach: Concerts avec plusieurs instruments (Vol. I à VI) - Intégrale
Bach: Keyboard Concertos Nos. 1-7, BWV 1052-8 etc.
