Divine Art Records

Genre: Harpsichord/Clavichord

  • Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, volumes 1-3

    Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, volumes 1-3

    This discount bundle includes three 2-CD sets, or in digital form the equivalent of six albums: all at at 25% discount off the price of buying individually.

    Gilbert Rowland is one of England’s most established and experienced harpsichordists and his recordings of Handel, Froberger and Mattheson for Divine Art and Athene have been widely praised and have proved popular with customers in many countries.

    Click on the individual CD page links to see all reviews and full tracklists

    Volume 1 (DDA 21219)
    “The standard of playing is very high indeed, with some crisp articulation, appropriately added ornamentation in the repeats and a subtly convincing application of inégalité … this is a most enjoyable recording.” – John Collins (The Consort)

    Volume 2 (DDA 21220)
    “It is impossible to praise this new release too highly. Fabulous playing.The combination of Handel, Gilbert Rowland, Wooderson’s fine harpsichord, the recording and the recording engineer John Taylor is unbeatable providing, as it does, a collection of these wonderful suites that I will return to again and again.” – Bruce Reader (The Classical Reviewer)

    Volume 3 (DDA 21225)
    “Exquisite performances by veteran musician Gilbert Rowland … splendid playing and outstanding instrument.” – John Pitt (New Classics)

  • Froberger: Complete Fantasias and Canzonas

    Froberger: Complete Fantasias and Canzonas

    Johann Jacob FROBERGER (1616-1667)
    Froberger’s fantasias and canzonas are amongst his most beautifully crafted yet most neglected works. They survive together with toccatas and partitas in a meticulously written autograph manuscript, the Libro Secondo, dated 19 September 1649. This is the first recording of all 14 works on the clavichord. Froberger was a most important figure in the early baroque period, helping to develop the style of the ‘dance suite’ so well known from the later hands of Bach, Handel and so many more.

    The instrument used here is a reconstruction (2009, Andreas Hermet) of a South German clavichord which is in the Berlin Musical Instrument Museum. It is an ideal vehicle for the strongly contrapuntal music of Froberger. The clavichord is a small quiet instrument but does have a wide dynamic range and even variable vibrato – an extremely difficult instrument to master.

    Terence Charlston is one of the UK’s foremost exponents of early keyboard music both as a soloist on organ, clavichord and harpsichord, and as a chamber musician, having been a member of both the London Baroque and Florilegium. He has initiated many new editions and recordings of early music and has developed an international reputation as one of the leaders of this area of music.

  • Mersenne’s Clavichord

    Mersenne’s Clavichord

    Not one example of an original French clavichord survives. The instrument played on this historically important recording is a new construction following the specifications published by Marin Mersenne in the 17th century. It’s therefore the only example of how early French keyboard music may have actually sounded to the first audiences. A range of works from the 16th and 17th centuries are presented, all French except the well known Toccata by Sweelinck, whose music was prevalent around France at the time.

    Also by Terence Charlston is The Harmonious Thuringian (DDA 25122).

  • Charles Avison: Collected Concerti Grossi & Keyboard Sonatas

    Charles Avison: Collected Concerti Grossi & Keyboard Sonatas

    The Avison Ensemble with Pavlo Beznosiuk & Caroline Balding (violin), Gary Cooper (harpsichord), Robert Howarth (harpsichord & chest organ)
    25% off the price of individual purchases!
    5 Double CD sets comprising:

    Award winning and highly praised recordings of wonderful baroque music: all but DDA21213 are first-ever recordings
    All downloads include booklets in PDF format.

  • Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 3

    Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 3

    Acknowledged without reservation as the greatest composer working in England in the 18th century, Georg Frideric Handel is revered worldwide as a master composer. His Harpsichord Suites are among the finest instrumental works of the period, we are privileged to present exquisite performances by Gilbert Rowland, one of Europe’s foremost harpsichordists. The first two volumes received very positive press reviews and this third and final installment will not disappoint in the splendid playing and excellent instrument.

    More details for Volume One and Volume Two.

  • Beyond the River God: Music for Harpsichord

    Beyond the River God: Music for Harpsichord

    A selection of works by the greatest harpsichord composer of all — François Couperin, and from contemporary British composer Graham Lynch, who is a very worthy successor with music that is expressive, descriptive, deep and exceptionally rich, showing that the harpsichord is capable of real expression.

    The Lynch pieces are receiving their first recordings. Established virtuoso Assi Karttunen is from Finland and this is her first album for Divine Art, and a showcase for her amazing talent at the keyboard.

  • The Harmonious Thuringian (Harpsichord)

    The Harmonious Thuringian (Harpsichord)

    Thuringia is a region of Germany in which both Bach and Handel grew up. It was here that a distinctive form of harpsichord was built, very different to most others, with a wonderful tone. This was most likely the type of intrument with which the composers were familiar. One survives and has been replicated beautifully by David Evans, this being its recording debut. Possibly we are hearing these great baroque works more accurately presented than ever before.

    Leading early-music specialist Terence Charlston plays music by the relatively young J S Bach and G F Handel and several of their contemporaries from the late 17th and very early 18th centuries.

    Charlston plays another unique instrument in 16th and 17th century music: “Mersenne’s Clavichord” DDA 25134.

  • John Garth – Accompanied Keyboard Sonatas, Op. 2 & Op. 4

    John Garth – Accompanied Keyboard Sonatas, Op. 2 & Op. 4

    Along with his friend and teacher Charles Avison, Garth was one of the leading lights of the music scene in northern England in the late baroque era (late 18th century). His music was completely neglected until re-introduced by The Avison Ensemble in concerts and with their groundbreaking recording of his Cello Concertos in 2007 (DDA 25059). In his lifetime Garth was best known for his Op. 2 Sonatas, written in the northern English style with accompaniment by two violins and cello; this and the Op. 4 set represent almost the last flowering of the true baroque era. Each sonata is in two-movement form and while thoroughly ‘conventional’ in style, include some masterful composition and endlessly fascinating listening.

  • Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 2

    Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 2

    Acknowledged without reservation as the greatest composer working in England in the 18th century, Georg Frideric Handel is revered worldwide as a master composer. His Harpsichord Suites are among the finest instrumental works of the period, we are privileged to present exquisite performances by Gilbert Rowland, one of Europe’s foremost harpsichordists.

    Volumes One and Three are also available.

  • Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 1

    Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 1

    Acknowledged without reservation as the greatest composer working in England in the 18th century, Georg Frideric Handel is revered worldwide as a master composer. His Harpsichord Suites are among the finest instrumental works of the period, and eight of those are presented here by Gilbert Rowland, one of Europe’s foremost harpsichordists.

    These two well-filled discs are a real bargain for such accomplished performances.

    More details for Volume Two and Volume Three.

  • Avison: Harpsichord Sonatas, op. 5 & 7

    Avison: Harpsichord Sonatas, op. 5 & 7

    This set is the final release in the Avison Ensemble’s complete recording of Avison’s orchestral and chamber music, marvellous baroque works of inspiration which have been greeted with delight by customers and critics alike. Here we have the twelve harpsichord sonatas of opus 5 and opus 7 – a worthy culmination of a fine series. The full series is available as a low-price set.

  • Avison: Trio Sonatas, op. 1 and Keyboard Sonatas, op. 8

    Avison: Trio Sonatas, op. 1 and Keyboard Sonatas, op. 8

    The fourth in our series of Avison’s music, and part of the Complete Edition completed at the end of 2009. These hitherto unknown works are real baroque gems. The op. 1 Trio Sonatas led by the strings, are accompanied by Robert Howarth on chest organ continuo; while Robert moves front of stage and to the harpsichord in the Keyboard Sonatas, op. 8.

    These recordings issued at bargain price help further to confirm that 18th century England was a place of fine creative artistry in music. Purchase the low-price five-volume set.