Music Teacher From August 2016

Sébastien de Brossard (1655-1730) is still known today, but for the wrong reason. People no longer know him for his compositions, but for his 'Dictionaire de Musique' from 1703, a work that is still a valuable source of French music from the seventeenth century. Brossard's music enjoyed a considerable popularity at the time. Brossard was also a valued teacher and a large collector: in 1725 he donated a large collection of manuscripts to the Bibliothèque Royale. He added a few works of his own, according to his own words 'because there were still some empty folders'.

Johann Joseph Fux (1660-1740) was an influential teacher, having written 'Gradus ad Parnassum' which codified compositional principles for musical training throughout the classical era. His compositions include abundant church music, operas, and numerous suites and trio sonatas. Counterpoint in his compositions was a hallmark of his style but did not keep him from incorporating modern tendencies in his music. The 'Missa Corporis Christi' was written in February, 1713, probably written for the next Feast of Corporis Christi, which fell on June 15 in that year.

Kent Nagano and the Hallé continue to commit to CD less celebrated portions of the Britten canon. Last year there was the four-act Billy Budd; before that the premiere recording of a concert version of the radio drama The Rescue. Now come two more firsts, recordings of the Double Concerto - prepared from Britten's almost complete sketches by Colin Matthews and presented by Nagano at Aldeburgh in 1997 - and the Two Portraits from 1930. The second of these is a portrait of Britten himself, a surprisingly plaintive and reflective meditation for viola and strings in E minor. The image is belied by the rest of the music on the disc, which is buoyant, energetic, young man's music all written before Britten was 26. Big guns Kremer and Bashmet are brought in for the Double Concerto and give of their impassioned best. Nagano and the Hallé are appropriately spirited and vigorous throughout the disc. It's not mature Britten, but clearly points the way forward and is worth getting to know.

Brilliant Classics continues its fascinating survey of Pre‐Bachian keyboard music with a new recording of the complete organ works of Nicholas Bruhns. Bruhns, born into a musical dynasty, was organist, violist and violinist in Copenhagen, pupil of the famous Buxtehude, where he remained till his death, only 31 years old. Bruhn’s works make full use of the many newly developed possibilities of the organ in his days, and form a splendid display of keyboard (and pedal!) virtuosity, and intricate counterpoint. To complement Bruhns’ complete organ works this recording presents other works by Sweelinck (his famous Chromatic Fantasy), Scheidemann, Scheidt and Buxtehude. Adriano Falcioni is one of the foremost organists of this time, winner of many international competitions. He already made several organ recordings for Brilliant Classics (Franck, Muffat, Couperin, Duruflé). Includes liner notes by the artist and an artist biography. Contains specifications of the magnificent organ of the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Ferrara, Italy.

Johann Pachelbel (baptised 1 September 1653 – buried 9 March 1706) was a German composer, organist, and teacher who brought the south German organ schools to their peak. He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a place among the most important composers of the middle Baroque era.