Richard Egarr & Patrick Ayrton - Works for 2 Harpsichords (1999)

Tracklist

01. Sonata and Suite in G Major/G Minor for Two Harpsichords: I. Sonata
02. Sonata and Suite in G Major/G Minor for Two Harpsichords: II. Allemande
03. Sonata and Suite in G Major/G Minor for Two Harpsichords: III. Courante
04. Sonata and Suite in G Major/G Minor for Two Harpsichords: IV. Sarabande
05. Sonata and Suite in G Major/G Minor for Two Harpsichords: V. Gigue
06. Concerto in F Major for Two Harpsichords, F. 10: I. Allegro moderato
07. Concerto in F Major for Two Harpsichords, F. 10: II. Andante
08. Concerto in F Major for Two Harpsichords, F. 10: III. Presto
09. Concerto in A Minor for Two Harpsichords: I. (Allegro)
10. Concerto in A Minor for Two Harpsichords: II. Affettuoso
11. Concerto in A Minor for Two Harpsichords: III. Allegro
12. Concerto in C Major for Two Harpsichords, BWV 1061a: I. (Allegro)
13. Concerto in C Major for Two Harpsichords, BWV 1061a: II. Adagio ovvero largo
14. Concerto in C Major for Two Harpsichords, BWV 1061a: III. Fuga



Two star harpsichordists have joined forces on this album in a program of seldom recorded pieces for two harpsichords. During the first half of the 18th century, performances on two harpsichords were a regular part of musical life, and the great composers enjoyed writing for this combination as can be deducted from their names in this program. Those pieces are also a great challenge to the performers because they require a maximum of technique and ensemble playing. Another element of this works is very much the idea of a 'duel' on harpsichords: "anything you can do, I can do better"... So it's up to the listener to decide who wins, and the answer to this question is not made any easier by the fact that the performers have swapped parts between pieces so that they remain 'masked' during the performances. The works are being performed on a matched pair of great sounding instruments by Joel Katzman, built after an original Ruckers harpsichord from 1628.

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