Jones: 8 Setts of Lessons for the Harpsichord

Featuring

Mitzi Meyerson
John Jones

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Historical Context

John Jones was highly respected by his peers, including composers Charles Avison and William Boyce, renowned harpsichord maker Jacob Kirkman, and even Joseph Haydn, who praised his music.

Compositional Technique

John Jones's 'Gavot' in Lesson 3 is unusual, being in triple time and sounding like a Scottish bagpipe ditty, with the right hand melody played on the 4-foot register an octave lower for a nasal sound.

Compositional Technique

Several of John Jones's 'Lessons' feature writing that evokes an orchestra, with clearly delineated solo and tutti parts, even though they are performed on a solo harpsichord.

Compositional Technique

The 'Preludium' from Lesson I of John Jones's 'Eight Setts of Lessons for the Harpsichord' includes a 'Harpegio' notation, indicating the player should creatively interpret block chords rather than playing them plainly.

Recording & Production

This recording aims to revive the works of John Jones, whose music has been largely forgotten for centuries, in contrast to the enduring popularity of his contemporary, Handel.

Composer Biography

John Jones (1728-1796), despite his common name, was an extraordinary musician, composer, and organist who held three important posts in London for forty years.