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JANSMUSIC RECOMMENDED RECORDING

LIR006
David Pollock: The French Harpsichord
Chambonnières: Pavane L'Entretien des Dieux /  L.Couperin: Suite in F /  D'Anglebert:  Tombeau de Mr de Chambonnières / Le Roux: Suite in F / F.Couperin: Movements from Sixième Ordre in B flat / Royer: La Marche des Scythes

I am delighted to present this debut recording on my own label, LIR, by British harpsichordist David Pollock.  David has recorded this programme on a copy of a harpsichord made in 1636. As well as the characteristic sound of the instrument, it recreates the decorative scheme: the cover on the CD booklet shows some of the details from the interior. The original instrument – still playable – is thought to have belonged to the House of Savoy until 1900, and now forms part of the Cobbe Collection at Hatchlands.  

For the music David has chosen a programme that reveals much of the evolution of the diverse French harpsichord tradition, beginning with Jacques Champion de Chambonnières, one of the most important early French harpsichordists, whose influence spread beyond Paris, and moving through his protegés Couperin (Louis) and D’Anglebert, whose music synthesised the various musical styles spreading across the continent, helping to create a definitive French sound. Le Roux and Francois Couperin further developed the style, exploring the harpsichord’s emotional and sonorous capabilities, and Royer, who “brings up the rear” shows that the style had become refined and distinctive in its ornamentation, its expressiveness, its structure and its technique.

David has a very individual style of playing, which really appeals to me.  He has really made these tracks his own, and his version of Les Barricades Mysterieuses is at once mysterious and hypnotic.