Seixas: Complete Works for Harpsichord, Vol. 1

Featuring

Débora Halász
Carlos de Seixas

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Historical Context

Carlos de Seixas was a contemporary of Domenico Scarlatti, an Italian composer who moved to Lisbon as mestre da capela, and they worked as colleagues until 1729.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Carlos de Seixas composed keyboard pieces for a varied clientele, including organ voluntaries for his position as organist, music for liturgy, and works for his own concerts or pupils.

Composition History

Many of Carlos de Seixas's works, including much of his choral music and original manuscripts of his keyboard sonatas, may have been destroyed in the devastating Lisbon earthquake of 1755.

Composer Biography

Carlos de Seixas, a Portuguese composer, became organist of Coimbra Cathedral at 14 and later served as organist to the Chapel Royal and Patriarchal Cathedral in Lisbon from age 16.

Instruments

The harpsichord used for this recording is a copy of a 1734 Hass Harpsichord, built by Lutz Werum in Germany, chosen by performer Débora Halász for its historical accuracy.

Composer Biography

Carlos de Seixas was knighted by King John V in 1738, recognizing his eminence as a virtuoso keyboard performer and composer in Portugal.

Critical Reception

Domenico Scarlatti, a renowned Italian composer, reportedly praised Carlos de Seixas as one of the best musicians he had ever heard, despite Seixas being 19 years his junior.