Pachelbel: Works for organ and harpsichord

Borsanyi, Marton

KL 1519

A rich insight into Pachelbel's oeuvre The important Nuremberg baroque composer Johann Pachelbel is known today almost exclusively for his "mega-hit" Canon and Gigue in D major, which can be found on every "cuddly classical" sampler. If this composition had been so popular during Pachelbel's lifetime, and if GEMA and GVL had already existed at that time, Pachelbel would probably have gone down in history as a music millionaire. Unfortunately, however, the rest of the work of this important Nuremberg composer, which is as extensive as it is interesting, has been almost completely forgotten.
On this new album from the audiophile German label Klanglogo, the excellent harpsichordist/organist Márton Borsányi offers us a rich insight into Pachelbel's œuvre for keyboard instruments in best sound with best interpretation. One of the most exciting baroque discoveries of the current classical music year so far and proof that Nuremberg has always had more to offer than gingerbread and sausages.

Organ or harpsichord? That was always the question of this first solo release by Márton Borsányi, which the virtuoso early music specialist answered individually for each of Johann Pachelbel's works. For this he has chosen a select set of instruments, for which prominent models of the 17th century were the inspiration: The harpsichord follows the tradition of the famous harpsichord-building dynasty Ruckers-Couchet, and the small organ from the house of Peter Meier is oriented in its sound to the Nuremberg organ-building master Nicolaus Manderscheidt.

On these instruments one can feel how colourful the sound spectrum of 17th century music is. The joy of experimentation and discovery with which Márton Borsányi gives each individual piece its own characteristic proves that music that was played over 300 years ago is anything but dusty. In a fascinating way, it is able to depict a whole range of colours: from pale floating to sparkling brilliance.

CD

17.08.2017

4037408015196