Compact Discs

Per clavicembalo moderno Gośka Isphording - harpsichord

The star of this recording is the extraordinary talented and original Gośka Isphording. For this recording she has used two different types of instrument - an historical copy and a modern pedal harpsichord. The baroque copy made it possible to faithfully reproduce the vision of the composers who wished to write in the 'spirit of the period', returning to the delicate sounds of the old instruments. However the contemporary harpsichord doesn't have quite such a subtle sound but does have a broader palette as a result of the varied registers made available with the help of the pedals, as opposed to the baroque method of using hand operated jacks. On this recording, Per clavicembalo moderno we find compositions by contemporary Polish composers for harpsichord and for harpsichord and tape. There are contributions by the older generation - W. Kotoński, Z. Bargielski, Z. Krauze, through the middle generation - M. Ptaszyńska, H. Kulenty, the younger generation - represented by M. Chyrzyński and W. Widłakm right to the youngest - A. Gryka. Some of the composers discarded the historical tradition and took on the sharp sound and wealth of the modern pedal instrument. In some of the other pieces they chose the simple colours of the baroque copy. In closing it should be noted that the CD Per clavicembalo moderno released by PWM/DUX is the first collection of harpsichord compositions by Polish composers, firmly rooted in a near century of deep tradition. [Magdalena Chmielowska]