Pieter-Jan Belder - Duphly: Complete Pieces De Clavecin (2014)

Although now faded into obscurity, Jacques Duphly was one of the most prominent French harpsichordists of his time, famed for his excellent teaching skills and known for his enviable connections with the French aristocracy. His keyboard works are a veritable treasure trove of music for harpsichord lovers; despite having been an organist in his youth, he soon realised that his talents lay with the smaller keyboard instrument, and he moved from Rouen to Paris to make best use of his skills. This release contains Duphlys complete keyboard music in the form of four livres for the harpsichord, written between 1744 and 1768, a period that marked extensive change both in France and within Duphlys music. At the beginning of his career, Duphlys music closely resembled the works of Baroque composers Couperin and Rameau; by the fourth book, however, his music has become firmly Classical in style, with extensive use of Alberti basses (broken chords in the left hand), a feature regularly used by Classical composers such as Haydn and Mozart. Duphly also began to utilise new harmonies and rhythmic structures in his music that had never before been possible; the complexity of the works reveals the high level expected of amateur players at the time. Many of Duphlys works are named after the aristocrats with whom the composer enjoyed connections at the time; his death in the revolutionary year of 1789 marked the end of a period of the harpsichords huge popularity among the aristocracy in France. One of Brilliant Classics most prominent artists, Pieter-Jan Belder is the perfect interpreter of these works, here using a harpsichord carefully modelled after a 1730 Blanchet model in order to create a highly authentic performance. Having already released works by C.P.E. Bach, Soler and Rameau, not to mention his ongoing recording of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, Belder is a sensitive and lyrical harpsichordist, with an assured touch that brings Duphlys neglected oeuvre to life. Praised by Gramophone magazine for his style and clarity and great sense of spontaneity in his recording of Solers harpsichord works, Belder proves himself to be a master of 18th-century harpsichord music. He is joined by Japanese violinist Rie Kimura, who adds sparkling energy when Duphly calls for the addition of the violin. Other information: Recorded in 2013 and 2014 at the Capuchin Monastery in Velp, Grave, The Netherlands. Extensive notes on the composer, works and the performer.