Late Music for the Virginals

Aapo Häkkinen · William Byrd · Orlando Gibbons · John Dowland

2018 · ABCD 405

Credits

Performers: Aapo Häkkinen — Harpsichord
Composers: William ByrdOrlando GibbonsJohn Dowland — ComposerJames Harding

About this release

"For keyboard instruments, Byrd composed nuancedly and eloquently; his late virginal compositions glow with a strong human fire on Aapo Häkkinen's recent album for Alba.
Keyboardist Aapo Häkkinen has enriched his music making in Baroque music, both as a keyboardist and as an orchestra leader, from solo works to orchestral music and opera. In his playing, spontaneous musical imagination is combined with deep understanding and erudition; expression, colors and characters combine in a quickly responsive artist's temperament delightfully and happily.
Aapo Häkkinen performs Byrd's works on two different historical instruments, an Italian harpsichord from around 1570 and a virginal built in Antwerp in 1604. Their softly speaking tone has been pleasantly and richly recorded on the disc - although one can always think about how close the sound of these instruments intended for home music should be recorded."
Ville Komppa/Yle Klassinen 06/2017

Tracks

1.Praeludium MB 1comp. William Byrd (1540-1623)ISRC FIABA17000940:52
Pavan & Galliard Sir William Petre MB 3
2.Pavancomp. William ByrdISRC FIABA17000955:07
3.Gallardcomp. William ByrdISRC FIABA17000962:05
Pavan & Galliard MB 52
4.Pavancomp. William ByrdISRC FIABA17000974:49
5.Galliardcomp. William ByrdISRC FIABA17000981:39
6.John come kiss me now MB 81comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17000995:23
7.Fantasia MB 25comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001005:37
8.Callimo casturame MB 35comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001012:04
Lachryame Pavan MB 54 & Harding´s Galliard MB 55
9.Galliardcomp. John Dowland; James HardingISRC FIABA17001022:54
10.Pavancomp. John Dowland; James HardingISRC FIABA17001036:15
11.Galliard MB 77comp. Dowland, John | Harding, JamesISRC FIABA17001041:02
Lachryame Pavan MB 54 & Harding´s Galliard MB 55
12.Monsieur´s Alman MB 44comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001052:37
13.The Bells MB 38comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001065:40
Pavan and 2 Galliards No. 2 in A Minor, "The Earl of Salisbury"
14.Pavancomp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001071:45
15.Galliardo No. 1comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001081:11
16.Galliardo No. 2comp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001092:10
17.Galliard, If my complaintscomp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001103:02
18.Go from My Windowcomp. Byrd, WilliamISRC FIABA17001114:38
Pavan and Galliard Lord Salisbury
19.Pavancomp. Gibbons, OrlandoISRC FIABA17001126:10
20.Galliardcomp. Gibbons, OrlandoISRC FIABA17001132:29

Reviews

The two historic instruments are in superb shape, for he produces marvelous sounds that realistically fill the room with surround sound.
Fanfare · J. F. Weber · February 1, 2018
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The recording was made in Italy’s Sacrestia di Sant’Ignazio June 2016, and the delicate sounds of the instruments are heard clearly.
ClassicalCDReview.com · Robert Benson · February 9, 2018
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His playing here is sensitively nuanced, displaying a keen and coherent sense of how this music unfolds.
American Record Guide · William J Gatens · June 20, 2018
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”Kosketinsoittimille Byrd sävelsi vivahteikkaasti ja puhuttelevasti; hänen myöhäiset virginaalisävellyksensä hehkuvat voimakasta inhimillistä paloa Aapo Häkkisen tuoreella levyllä Alballe.
Kosketinsoittaja Aapo Häkkinen on rikastuttanut musisoinnillaan barokkimusiikin parissa niin kosketinsoittajana kuin orkesterinjohtajana sooloteoksista orkesterimusiikkiin ja oopperaan. Hänen soitossaan spontaani musiikillinen mielikuvitus yhdistyy syvälliseen ymmärrykseen ja oppineisuuteen; ilmaisu, värit…
Yle Klassinen 06/2017 · Ville Komppa
”Italian Saluzzossa äänitetyn levyt teokset on soitettu, Benedetto Florianin noin vuonna 1570 valmistamalla cembalolla ja Joannes Ruckersin vuonna 1604 valmistamalla virginalila.”
10-2017 · Rondo Classic