GG: clavichord

[Leslie Jones <l.jones2@rca.ac.uk>]

Hello everyone

Perhaps I should apologise for not caring in the least about GG's love
life, but my contribution is only an addition to my note on clavichord
recordings etc.

Leonhardt plays Fantasy and Fugue BWV 904, French Suite 2, two Polonoises
by WF Bach, Sonatas Wq 51/6, Wq 51/4, Wq 63/4 by CPE Bach and a suite by
Christian Ritter on Philips 422 349-2 (1989).

Paul Simmonds plays Praeludium BuxWV 163 by Buxtehude, Biblical Sonata 4 by
Kuhnau, Arioso with 12 Variations by Johann Gottfried Müthel, Sonata D maj
F 4 by WF Bach, Sonata A min by Daniel Gottlob Türk and Sonata D min by
Johann Wilhelm Hässler on Ars Musici AM 1145-2 'Deutsche Clavichord-Musik'
(1995).

I don't think either of these discs captures the sound particularly well,
but then I've never heard a truly convincing recording of a clavichord. I
usually buy clavichord discs thinking I'm going to enjoy them, then being
disappointed and putting them away forever. The Leonhardt above sounds the
more natural of the two, but too distant and sounds (to me) better on
headphones. The Simmonds sounds a bit like a lute-harpsichord only smaller
(which perhaps it should) but doesn't sound real.

Enough clavichord.

Finally, Bradley Lehman asked about the Hogwood set of My Ladye Nevells
Booke on CD. I think it may well be a Europe only issue, as the discs and
inserts are copyright Decca, not London as I think a US or international
issue would be. I could easily find out if its still available here if
Bradley or anyone else is interested

LJ