UPDATED 03/18/2010

FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT   Your support is necessary to continue this service. Even a small donation will help. 3-stop Harpsichord built by Martin Bezemer Eindhoven, 1981 - Samples by Hauptwerk.nl Froberger, J. J.: Capriccio IV Three sections with simulated pull-down pedal at the end of each. The second section uses a softer dynamic but the same two stops as the first. In the third section a few more terrace dynamics are utilized. MeanTone 5th Comma Temperament, no reverberation added. Output +2dB. [3:5] HW2 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Concerto in C Major, BWV 984 Based on a concerto by Duke Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar, in three movements [Moderato] - Adagio e affettuoso - Allegro assai. Output +2dB, no reverberation added. Brad Lehman Temperament. [6:39] HW2 Cimarosa, Domenico: Sonata Three movements: Allegro, Andantino and Allegro. Werkmeister 3 Temperament, 0Db output volume, impulse reverberation added. WAV file is available in RAR format: here (23.0 MB). [3:18] HW2 Eberlin, Johann Ernst: Toccata Tertia et Fuga Modulating sequences with judicious pedal notes underlying them, a short adagio ending on the dominant, and a rather long fugue with angular chromatic subject and a scalar countersubject. The second manual was used as quasi-pedal; though played an octave higher it still accesses a few of the lower notes. Equal temperament, no reverberation added. [6:50] HW2 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Canzonetta in E minor, BuxWV 169 A highly ornamented two-measure subject pervades this playful piece for one manual with a bit of simulated pull-down pedal. A slightly different registration system was used that allows more combinations than the author's 5-button system. Temperament is 10th Comma, no reverberation added. Output +2db. Thanks to Ian Dyson for the score. [2:12] HW2 Weckmann, Matthias: Canzon in C (II) Three sections: Tempo Ordinario in Common Meter (Front 8'), Piõ mosso in 3/4 time (Back 8') and Tempo Primo in Common Meter (Front 8' + Back 4'). Motiv of an ascending scale is used in 2 rhythmic variants, then a descending scale. A quick burst of frivolity occasionally interrupts the well-ordered proceedings. Kellner temperament. [2:55] HW2>3 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Canzonetta in G Major, BuxWV 172 4 voice texture throughout, with unusual ending. Brad Lehman Temperament. +2dB output volume. Impulse reverberation added. Score provided by Boris Mudrinic. [2:40] HW2 Purcell, Henry: Suite 6 for Harpsichord The opening Prelude is restless and full of syncopations, The Almand continues with the syncopations. The Courante is in a more settled 3/2 meter and makes liberal use of long trills. A slightly different registration system was used that allows more combinations than the author's 5-button system. Output +2dB, no reverberation added. Brad Lehman Temperament. [3:43] HW2 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Concerto in G minor, BWV 985 Based on a violin concerto by Georg Philipp Telemann. Three movements: [Allegro] - Adagio - Allegro. Pedal uses the newly provided transposing second manual. Output volume -4dB.Temperament 1/10 Comma. [6:5] HW2>3 Couperin, François: Les Papillons Perhaps an early form of tone poem, Couperin describes these harpsichord pieces as "portraits: not only of people, but of moods, emotions, objects and incidents." This little piece musically captures the fleeting beauty of butterflies. Kirnberger III Temperament, no reverberation added, output +2dB. [1:47] HW2 Weckmann, Matthias: Canzon in G The last in this collection of Canzons, several sections: Largo in Common Time (Back 8' ),Piõ mosso in 6/4 Meter (Front 8); Adagio in Common Time (Front 8' + Back 4'); Tempo I (Front Lute and Back 8'); Ending (Front 8' + Back 4'). [3:12] HW2>3 Weckmann, Matthias: Toccata in D minor (I) Held chords with scalar passages, eighth-note repeated chords with 16th-note solos in various registers, some light syncopation and occasional emphasis by the Pedal--sounds like an Italian "touch piece." Manual: Principale Bassi e Soprani + Ottava + Decima IX + Vigesima II + Vigesima VI +Vigesima IX; ad lib Pedal Contrabassi. -7dB. WellTemperament-SeventhComma [3:15] HW2>3 Zachau, Friedrich Wilhelm: Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I) Four-part with a bit puzzling tonality, since the piece ends on a G Major chord. Front 8' + Back 4' - MeanTone-ModifiedSixthComma Temperament. [1:7] HW2>3 Brahms, Johannes: Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen A sublime setting in which the melody hops from voice to voice of the familiar Christmas hymn, alternating between two stops, the Front and Back, but testing out the new Swell Pedal (dynamic control not possible with the original instrument unless it were placed in a chamber with shutters and operated by an organist outside the chamber). Output +2dB, no reverberation added. Brad Lehman Temperament. [1:49] HW2 Froberger, J. J.: Capriccio XVII Four sections: 1) Fughetta in Common Time with descending sixth in subject; 2) Rolling and slightly syncopated section in 3/2 meter; 3) Rapid rolling section in 12/8; 4) variation of the first theme in 3/2 meter with countersubject based on repeated notes and ending with rapid flourishes. [3:41] (A=465) HW2>3.1 Martini, Padre Giovanni: Aria im C minor A bit like a rondo, in that the opening section is repeated in the middle and at the end. The arpeggios before the third repetition descend to the lowest notes of the harpsichord range, which is lower than organ manuals by a fifth. Output +2dB, no reverberation added. Brad Lehman Temperament. [2:2] HW2 Buxtehude, Dietrich: Praeludium in G Major, BuxWV 162 5 sections: Opening flourishes, Fughetta and Grave, all in 4/4; Gigue with ending flourishes in 6/8. Young Temperament, no added reverberation. Score provided by Boris Mudrinic. [5:20] HW2