All Baroque

Professor Greenberg sets Bach in context by tracing the musical traditions and composers from whom he drew his inspiration, and explaining how Bach absorbed these influences to become the transcendent composer of the High Baroque. According to Professor Greenberg, no other composer is more representative of the period and its aesthetic of emotional extravagance and technical control.You will also learn how Bach's background—at least 42 of his relatives were professionally involved with music—and his strong German Lutheran heritage shaped his development as an artist.

Schmelzer & Muffat - Sonatas
Classical, Baroque | 1 CD | EAC | FLAC, CUE, LOG | Scans | 336 MB | RS
Recorded: Oct. 1985 | Released: 1992 [1986] | Label: HMA 1901220 | TT: 61:29
London Baroque (dir. Charles Medlam)

One of London Baroque's first recordings, this 1986 issue of chamber sonatas by Schmelzer and Muffat retains its power to charm, move, and thrill. (James Leonard, All Music Guide)
Ensemble is crisp and well balanced and intonation is excellent. […] The two violinists are beautifully matched but special praise must go to Ingrid Seifert for her passionate account of the Sonata a tre to which the designation Lament has speculatively been appended. […] All in all then, a fine release of interesting sonatas, imaginatively performed and beautifully recorded. (Gramophone, Nov. 1986)

For decades there has been only one recording of Admeto available: a quite splendid performance from 1977 (Virgin Records 5613692) directed by Alan Curtis with Il complesso barocco. One of the first baroque operas to be recorded with original instruments, it reflects the best of the historical performance movement. It is thus with considerable anticipation and curiosity that one approaches this new release of Handel’s Admeto, sung in English (to a fine translation by Geoffrey Dunn), directed by Sir Anthony Lewis, and recorded just nine years earlier in 1968. The cast for this recording is no less remarkable. Dame Janet Baker plays the self-sacrificing Alcestis; Admetus is sung elegantly and expressively by Maureen Lehane; Sheila Armstong is a brilliant and stylish Antigona, and the mezzo soprano Margaret Lensky provides a touching portrayal of the lovesick Thrasymedes.

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), was better-known as an organist than an important Baroque composer during his life time, though he was a prolific and influential composer. It is said that his organ chorales preludes and his fugues had an influence on Johann Sebastian Bach. Pachelbel held the position of organist in several churches and cathedrals in Austria and Germany. While most of his compositions were for the organ, he also wrote some chamber and vocal music.