Christian Petzold (1677-1733) was a German organist and composer, holding court positions in Dresden. From 1703, he was organist at the Sophienkirche in Dresden and from 1709 also chamber composer at the Saxon court there. Extensive concert tours took him to Paris in 1714 and Venice in 1716.
Petzold’s music reflects the typical characteristics of German Baroque, with a rich use of counterpoint and a strong influence of dance typical of the Baroque period, such as the minuet, the sarabande, and the gigue. His keyboard music is particularly noted for his clarity and elegance of melodic lines and presents a complex use of polyphony. He was also influenced by the French and Italian music of his time. His most famous composition is his Menuet in G major, which Johann Sebastian Bach, an admirer of Petzold, included in his Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach.
Isfrid Kayser, originally Laurentius Antonius Kayser (1712-1771) was a German composer, organist and member of the Premonstratensian Order. His period of activity coincides with an era of transition between Baroque and Classicism. This recording presents his Concors digitorum discordia Op.4 (Augsburg 1746), consisting of 3 substantial Partitas, music based on Baroque forms and counterpoint, but already hinting at the classical Sonata form, while using a more galant, harmonious musical language.
Played by Fernando De Luca, one of Italy’s foremost harpsichord players, who recorded to great critical acclaim the complete keyboard works by Graupner, Moyreau and others, published by Brilliant Classics.
Works:
CD 1• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in F Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 2 in D Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 3 in A Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 4 in E Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 5 in A Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 6 in G Minor
CD 2• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 7 in G Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 8 in B-Flat Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 9 in C Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 10 in C Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 11 in F Minor
CD 3• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 12 in D Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 13 in C Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 14 in E-FlatMajor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 15 in B-Flat Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 16 in F-Sharp Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 17 in B Minor
CD 4• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 18 in D Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 19 in A Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 20 in E Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 21 in E Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 22 in C Major
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 23 in F Major
CD 5• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 24 in G Minor
• Christian Petzold: Harpsichord Concerto No. 25 in G Major
• Isfrid Kayser: Parthia No. 1 in D Major, Op. 4
CD 6• Isfrid Kayser: Parthia No. 2 in E-Flat Major
• Isfrid Kayser: Parthia No. 3 in B-Flat Major