RALPH KIRKPATRICK: A RECITAL OF TWENTIETH CENTURY HARPSICHORD MUSIC

Description

“Kirkpatrick’s playing leaves one a bit awed, not least for his rhythmic sensibility. Gravely serious (Cowell), giddily virtuoso (Powell) or merely silly (the Mieg), Kirkpatrick brought the music its full due. In brightly refurbished sonics, this should be high on most lists of serious keyboard music collectors.”

-Heuwell Tircuit, In Tune

“Kirkpatrick’s vital playing is so powerful that it may well encourage players to attempt [these pieces] with more modest historical instruments.”

-Robert Haskins, American Record Guide

Wrote Kirkpatrick in his original concert program notes: “This is my first complete program of modern harpsichord music in over twenty years. While it represents only a small segment of the music that has been composed for the harpsichord in our time, and while it does not even pretend to present a balanced sampling of styles and schools, it contains a number of works I have long intended to play, and one at least (the Cowell Set of Four ) especially written for this program.” The booklet also includes a lengthy essay on twentieth-century harpsichord music by Igor Kipnis.

Performed in recital at the University of California, Berkeley, 26 January 1961. COWELL (1897-1965): Set of Four (1960) [Premiere Performance]; HARRISON (b 1917): Six Sonatas; DELIUS (1862-1934): Dance for Harpsichord (1919); LÉVY (b.1895): Fantasie Symphonique (1939); MIEG (1906-1990): Le voyage ? Montfort (1956); STEVENS (1908-1989): From the Partita (1954); PERSICHETTI (1915-1987): From the Sonatas for Harpsichord FS&H, Op. 52; ALLANBROOK: Sonata No. 1 (194-); POWELL (b.1923): Recitative and Toccata Percossa; KRAEHENBUEHL: Toccate per Cembalo (1955). Performed in recital at the University of California, Berkeley, 26 January 1961.