Gustav Leonhardt – Elizabethan Organ Music (2022) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Gustav Leonhardt – Elizabethan Organ Music (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 48:34 minutes | 910 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Paradizo

Though known primarily as a harpsichordist, Gustav Leonhardt spent much time and effort over a fifty-year period performing and recording on the finest historic organs in Europe – from the 1559 ‘baldachin’ organ at Churburg Castle in Switzerland to the largest instruments including the Schnitger organs of Alkmaar, Zwolle and Hamburg and the organ of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. These European organs are among the greatest artistic monuments of Europe of the last millennium, combining musical instrument making, design, architecture and decoration. The perpetual care of these organs is essential. Leonhardt was an enthusias- tic supporter of fine organ restoration – once asked to contribute a few written words for fund-raising for the restoration of an historic organ, he wrote that ‘even to the most sensitive ears, the rattle of coin and the rustle of paper money are sounds not disagreeable’. Organist of both the Waalse Kerk (1959-1982) and the Nieuwe Kerk (1980-2012) in Amsterdam, Leonhardt was always an active force in this movement that began, at least in Northern Europe, in the 1950s.The Netherlands is full of historical organs that have been carefully preserved—and often restored—with meticulous care. A shining example is that of the 1718 Schnitger organ in St Michael’s Church, Zwolle. With sixty-four registers and four manuals, it’s the largest instrument built by this famous German organ maker (who set the standard for German Baroque organs). With the help of several discoveries made during its restoration, it has now been completely restored to the heights of its former glory—even retaining its original sound.

A student of the great Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichordist Skip Sempé (founder of the Paradizo label in 2006), pays tribute to his mentor with this reissue of a rare recital, recorded in the Spring of 1962 in Zwolle. Sadly, the recital’s original tapes, recorded for Cambridge Records, were lost. Therefore, a microgroove vinyl record in good condition served as the basis for this first CD edition. Though, this is not part of the vast “Gustav Leonhardt Edition” which was published by other labels later in his career.

This recital, remarkably recorded and perfectly remastered, demonstrates the rustic, bold and colourful sounds of the instrument before its restoration in the latter 20th century. Its timbres are perfectly suited to this selection of Elizabethan music, which includes iconic pieces by John Munday, Giles Farnaby, John Bull, Orlando Gibbons, and William Byrd. Leonhardt didn’t re-record any of these pieces during his career, except for just three. Therefore, this is a previously unreleased recording that will delight fans of the colloquially known ‘Pope of Baroque’. – François Hudry

Tracklist:

1-01. Gustav Leonhardt – Robin, FVB 15 (02:09)
1-02. Gustav Leonhardt – Loth to Depart, FVB 230 (03:39)
1-03. Gustav Leonhardt – Fantasia, FVB 208 (03:53)
1-04. Gustav Leonhardt – Gloria tibi trinitas, FVB 44 (03:51)
1-05. Gustav Leonhardt – Fantasia, FVB 84 (11:10)
1-06. Gustav Leonhardt – Fantasia, MB 6 (01:35)
1-07. Gustav Leonhardt – Prelude, MB 3 (00:59)
1-08. Gustav Leonhardt – Fantasia, MB 8 (04:41)
1-09. Gustav Leonhardt – A Ground, MB 40 (05:16)
1-10. Gustav Leonhardt – Miserere, FVB 177 (03:21)
1-11. Gustav Leonhardt – Fantasia, FVB 261 (08:00)

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