Liselotte Selbiger, harpsichord plays Baroque Music

Featuring

Liselotte Selbiger
Henry Purcell
François Couperin
Johann Sebastian Bach
Domenico Scarlatti
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Jean-Philippe Rameau

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Performer Biography

Liselotte Selbiger, the harpsichordist on this album, was a German-Jewish refugee who came to Copenhagen in 1935.

Historical Context

Selbiger's 1939 Copenhagen debut was the first time a resident harpsichordist presented a full solo concert where the instrument was not just for demonstration.

Instruments

The clavichord, featured on this album, was the preferred home instrument for intimate music-making in the Baroque and early Classical periods, especially in Germany.

Historical Context

During World War II, Selbiger, being of Jewish descent, had to flee Denmark to Sweden in a dramatic escape, carrying poison in case of capture.

Instruments

The harpsichord, unlike the clavichord, was suitable for 'pompous' music and performances in large rooms due to its rich sonority, and also served as a continuo instrument.

Interpretation

Selbiger was inspired by Wanda Landowska's book 'Musique Ancienne' (1909), which detailed J.S. Bach's ornamentation practices, deepening Selbiger's understanding of his music.

Recording & Production

Selbiger's first record in 1947, featuring two Scarlatti pieces, received excellent reviews, with one critic preferring her performance over that of Wanda Landowska.