Handel: Harpsichord Suites (1720)

Jory Vinikour (Artist), George Frideric Handel (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (March 31, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: DELOS RECORDS
• ASIN: B001QUL778
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,222 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

post-gazette.com, Robert Croan, April 23, 2009

In the dark ages of 78 rpm records, I had a brittle 10-inch disc on which the great harpsichordist Wanda Landowska played Mozart's "Turkish" Rondo on one side and Handel's "Harmonious Blacksmith" on the other. I didn't know then that each piece -- capriciously named by later generations and popular on its own -- was the final movement of a larger work. In the case of Handel, the Suite in question (in E Major, HWV 430) was in turn part of a larger collection of eight that the composer tossed off for fun in 1720.

These early keyboard works are a treasure trove, just about every movement a gem. "The Harmonious Blacksmith" is an air with several variations, exploiting not only that compositional technique but also the harpsichordist's virtuosity and its rhythmic clangy sound of the instrument. Chicago-born Jory Vinikour plays all this music with relish and a sense of fun.

Product Description

Jory Vinikour, one of the outstanding harpsichordists of his generation, celebrates the Handel year with a wonderful
new recording of Handel s 'Great' Suites, topped off with a special version of the famous Chaconne in G Major.
Jory's Handel is unquestionably as 'definitive' as his celebrated version of the Bach Goldberg Variations. The
nobility, tenderness and delightful variety of each Suite speaks of Jory's musical perspective not only as a virtuoso,
but also as a conductor, opera continuist and joint recitalist in the course of his highly diversified career.
The warm sound of this new Handel recording can be attributed to the instrument Jory plays, which is based on the
1739 Dresden harpsichord built by Heinrich Gräbner, with its extended basses and corresponding richness of timbre.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Handel, beautifully played and recorded, June 1, 2009

By 

Stephen Midgley (Tarbrax, West Calder, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel: Harpsichord Suites (1720) (Audio CD)

Jory Vinikour here delivers truly outstanding performances of Handel's eight great keyboard suites of 1720. The energy, impetus and flow of his playing give the listener the feeling that we are being offered a real insight into the mind of the composer, while Vinikour's flawless virtuosity and decorative technique convey a sense of spontaneity which is a true delight in this music. To take just a few examples, listen to the brilliance of the closing fugal allegro of suite no. 2 in F, the quasi-orchestral panache of the Ouverture to the G minor suite, or the more than usually lyrical treatment of the so-called "Harmonious Blacksmith" theme and variations at the end of the fifth suite.

There are several good recordings of these works available, including a fine one by Paul Nicholson on the Hyperion label, but Vinikour's present set offers two outstanding additional assets. The first is the inclusion of a stunning performance of Handel's magnificent G major Chaconne HWV 435, in itself a superb expression of the wide emotional range that is so characteristic of Handel's instrumental writing. The second bonus is the exceptionally rich and mellow sound of Vinikour's chosen instrument, a modern copy of a 1739 harpsichord by Johann Heinrich Gräbner of Dresden, which moreover has been beautifully captured in this fine recording. To round off the merits of the set we have the player's own very informative booklet essay, together with detailed information about the instrument from the builder John Phillips. On this evidence, Jory Vinikour is one of the finest keyboard players of today; and, in short, anyone looking for a recording of these Handelian masterpieces can't go wrong with this set.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous performances!, June 16, 2009

By 

Joie (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel: Harpsichord Suites (1720) (Audio CD)

I have greatly enjoyed this 2-CD set, and listen to it frequently - it's one of my favorite harpsichord recordings. Mr. Vinikour's playing has everything - solidity, cohesiveness, devil-may-care brilliance, expressiveness, and a sure sense of appropriate affect. He is a master of his instrument, and understands what is required to make the music and instrument come alive as intended. Every phrase and every movement of these suites is beautifully shaped.

In addition to the artistic excellence of the performances, his program notes are intelligently written, yet highly readable by anyone possessed of a modicum of musical knowledge.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular!, November 1, 2010

By 

Douglas Thorpe (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel: Harpsichord Suites (1720) (Audio CD)

I second each of the comments made by Mr. Midgley. This is my fourth set of these suites (Richter, Gavrilov and Perahia [partial] on piano and Nicholson on harpischord} and it is by far the best. The sensitivity that Mr. Vinikour brings to these very special works adds immeasurably to the wonderful technique he exhibits.