Publisher's Synopsis
Girolamo Frescobaldi was the greatest Italian keyboard composer of the early Baroque. Throwing caution to the wind he introduced his own 'unconventional' style of inventive harmony, quirky rhythms and innovative embellishment, establishing his prominence as a beacon of musical excellence, and an inspiration for future generations of composers.
With practical discussions on 17th century fingering methods, ornamentation, organ registration, modes, tuning and temperament, and Italian instruments, plus other intriguing concepts, Richard Lester explores much of the composer's creative genius: a trendsetter straordinario.
A supplement to this book in the form of a documentary is available on www.richardlester.org.uk and audio recordings by Richard Lester on historic instruments are available on Spotify, or from sales@wyastone.co.uk
Richard Lester's harpsichord and organ recordings of Frescobaldi's music on period instruments for Nimbus Records have twice received the 'outstanding' accolade in International Record Review; awarded 'Recording of the year' in Musicweb International 2011; and acclaimed in the Penguin Guide to the 1000 Finest Classical Recordings, - 'Performance of Frescobaldi demands a free, improvisatory style of performance, of which Richard Lester is obviously a master.'
In an academic capacity he has contributed articles on Scarlatti, and Frescobaldi's music in Harpsichord and Fortepiano magazine, and the Hungarian book on early music, R ÉGI ZENE. Tanulmányok, Cikkek, Interjúk. Szerkesztette Péteri Judit.
