COMPOSERS: Kuhnau
LABELS: Harmonia Mundi
WORKS: The Biblical Sonatas
PERFORMER: John Butt (harpsichord, clavichord, organ)
CATALOGUE NO: HMU 907133 DDD
Butt plays the extraordinarily vivid programme music of Kuhnau (1660-1722) – Old Testament high drama, violent, salacious, mournful – with no holds barred. He divides the six sonatas between three instruments, superbly recorded at their natural dynamic levels; though I’ve seldom heard such a wild clavichord touch, depicting rage. The chamber organ is exquisite, tremulant reflecting trembling Israelites, zimbelstern depicting joy, and two chorale settings anachronistically presenting pre-Christian drama to a Lutheran audience. Definitely not to be missed. George Pratt
Kuhnau: The Biblical Sonatas
Butt plays the extraordinarily vivid programme music of Kuhnau (1660-1722) – Old Testament high drama, violent, salacious, mournful – with no holds barred. He divides the six sonatas between three instruments, superbly recorded at their natural dynamic levels; though I’ve seldom heard such a wild clavichord touch, depicting rage. The chamber organ is exquisite, tremulant reflecting trembling Israelites, zimbelstern depicting joy, and two chorale settings anachronistically presenting pre-Christian drama to a Lutheran audience. Definitely not to be missed. George Pratt
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:08 pm