Athene

Johann Mattheson - 12 Suites for Harpsichord - Gilbert Rowland (2017) {Athene ATH 23301 Official Digital Download}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (chandos.net) -> 1.16 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 411 Mb
Full Artwork (jpg+pdf) -> 14 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2017 Athene / Gilbert Rowland / Divine Art | ATH 23301
Classical / German Baroque / Harpsichord

Following the fine critical praise for his pioneering recording of the complete Harpsichord Suites of G.F. Handel, Gilbert Rowland moves to the lesser known but equally inspired Johann Mattheson (1681-1764) who composed these suites in 1714. Although generally following the then current Dance Suite format used so much by Bach, Handel and others, Mattheson created variety with different dances (such as the Tocatine) and varying numbers of movements. Certainly very musical and original, these Suites deserve to be considered on a level with those of Handel at the very least. Masterful performances by Gilbert Rowland who plays a 2-manual French-style instruments by Andrew Wooderson (2005) after an original from 1750 by Goemans.

Soon after his return from America, at the height of the war in 1943, Britten wrote incidental music for a radio play by Edward Sackville-West on the Homeric subject of Odysseus’s return to Penelope. Drawn from the complete score with barely any amendment of the original, and compressed into a 36-minute cantata, with Chris de Souza tailoring the text and Colin Matthews, Britten’s last amanuensis, most tactfully editing the music, the result is extraordinarily powerful. The most important role is that of the narrator, here masterfully taken by Dame Janet Baker who brings the story vividly to life despite the stylized classical language (e.g. “Odysseus, Lord of sea-girt Ithaca” or “His fair wife, white-armed Penelope”). Rather confusingly Athene also appears as a soprano, with the radiant Alison Hagley sounding totally unlike Dame Janet. She is one of a godly quartet of singers who contribute Greek-style commentaries – vocal passages which regularly add to the atmospheric beauty of the piece.

So when Juha Kujanpää contacted us about his new album ‘Goldwing’ (‘Kultasiipi’ in Finnish) which combined progressive rock and Nordic folk, I didn't bat an eyelid, in fact I was clicking the enclosed links quicker than ever. It’s the 2nd solo album from the Finnish composer, who has worked with many different artists in Finland, and whilst its taken while for us to have chance to listen, it’s immediately had an impact as an interesting and in most parts beautiful album, which is well worth checking out - particularly if you like progressive and modern classical music. ~ Nordic Music