Cambridge Early Music Concerts 2009

CONCERT SERIES 2009 Concert 13

A WELL-TEMPERED CLAVICHORD

Julian Perkins

12.00 noon, Saturday 17 October, 2009
Trinity College, Frazer Room
A lunchtime concert by a leader in the new generation of keyboard virtuosi: '...yet more marvellous improvised invention from Julian Perkins' (Emma Kirkby). Described by Hans von Bülow as 'the Old Testament of the piano repertory', Bach's Das Wohltemperierte Clavier is the cornerstone of all keyboard music. This recital will explore Book One of Bach's epic collection, together with works by Fischer and Kuhnau that are said to have inspired this magnum opus.
Review of this concert (pdf, opens in new window).
-- Peter Bavington, rec'd 3 Mar 2010
Thanks very much for putting this on. We (all three) found it an exhilarating experience. I started off wishing for the big astringent sound of a harpsichord, but ears quickly attuned to the spare affect and restricted dynamic of the clavichord - a real parlour instrument - but which eventually sounded loud and characterful in the room - and I really appreciated hearing Bach played like that, as it brought to the fore the rich colour and architecture of the writing itself.

It's always wonderful to hear Bach played so well.
-- Neil Laister, 21 Oct 09
Largo from Sett No. 3 in B-flat major, James Nares
Jigg from Sett No. 7 in G major, James Nares
Audio clips reproduced by kind permission of Julian Perkins from his recording of Eight Setts of Lessons for the Harpsichord (1747) by James Nares (1715 - 1783).

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