Harpsichord Concertos: Cimarosa, Seixas & His School | János Sebestyén with Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra CD

USED - VERY GOOD

Product Information

UPC: Not provided
Catalog Number: HCD 12392-2 / SLPX 12392
Product Type: Audio CD (Reissue of 1983 recording)
Genre: Classical - Baroque
Featured Artist: János Sebestyén (harpsichord)
Ensemble: Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra, Budapest
Conductor/Director: János Rolla
Additional Musicians: Attila Nagy, Bela Drahos (flute); István Borza, Ádám Friedrich (horn)
Audio Format: ADD (Analog recording, Digital mastering)
Total Duration: Approximately 47 minutes
Record Label: Hungaroton
Original Recording Year: 1983
CD Manufacturing: Denon, Nippon Columbia Co. Ltd., Japan

Overview

This exquisite collection showcases three delightful baroque and early classical harpsichord concertos performed by the renowned Hungarian harpsichordist János Sebestyén with the Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra of Budapest under János Rolla's direction. The album presents Domenico Cimarosa's operatic Concerto in B-flat major, Carlos de Seixas's elegant Concerto in A major, and an intriguing anonymous concerto in G minor attributed to Seixas's school. These performances highlight the graceful interplay between harpsichord and orchestra while offering a fascinating glimpse into the stylistic transition between baroque and classical compositional approaches. Sebestyén's masterful technique and profound understanding of period performance practice bring these rarely heard works to vibrant life, supported by the refined and precise playing of Hungary's premier chamber orchestra.

Product Features

• Historical Significance: Features rare harpsichord concertos, including works from the Portuguese baroque tradition rarely heard in recordings
• Audio Quality: Analog recording digitally remastered (ADD)
• Performance: János Sebestyén provides his own cadenza for the Anonymous concerto
• Orchestration: Varied accompaniment ranging from strings-only (Seixas and Anonymous) to fuller orchestration with winds (Cimarosa)
• Musical Period Coverage: Spans late Baroque to early Classical compositional styles
• Documentation: Includes detailed program notes in English, French, and German
• Original Album Art: Features a painting by Watteau
• Production Credits: Recording producer: Ibolya Tóth; Balance engineer: Judit Lukács

Interesting Facts

János Sebestyén's Legacy

János Sebestyén (1931-2012) was one of Hungary's most distinguished keyboard players, renowned for his expertise on harpsichord, organ, and piano. He founded the harpsichord class at the prestigious Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, shaping generations of keyboard performers. Beyond his performing career, Sebestyén was a senior staff member at Hungarian Radio, where he contributed significantly to broadcasting classical music in Hungary. His performances are characterized by a profound understanding of historical performance practice while maintaining expressive freedom and communicative power.

The Portuguese Baroque Connection

The inclusion of Carlos de Seixas's work and the anonymous concerto from his school highlights the often-overlooked Portuguese baroque tradition. Carlos de Seixas (1704-1742) was a Portuguese composer and harpsichordist who served as organist at Lisbon Cathedral. Despite his short life, he composed over 700 keyboard sonatas, though many were lost in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. This recording represents an important contribution to the documentation of Portuguese baroque music, which has historically received less attention than the Italian, French, or German traditions from the same period.

Cimarosa: From Opera to Keyboard

While Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801) is primarily known for his operas, particularly "Il matrimonio segreto," his harpsichord concerto demonstrates how operatic elements informed instrumental composition during the Classical period. As noted in the album's liner notes, the work incorporates dramatic mood changes, recitative-like passages, and aria-style melodies that could easily accommodate text. The concerto showcases Cimarosa's gift for melodic invention and dramatic contrast, transferring his theatrical sensibilities to the concert stage.

The Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra

Founded in 1963, the Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra quickly established itself as one of Hungary's premier ensembles. Under the leadership of János Rolla, who directed the orchestra from 1979 to 2016, the ensemble developed a reputation for precise, deeply musical performances with particular attention to stylistic authenticity. This recording exemplifies their sensitive approach to baroque and early classical repertoire, providing ideal support for Sebestyén's harpsichord playing while maintaining their distinctive ensemble character.

Track Listing

Domenico Cimarosa: Concerto in B flat major for Harpsichord and Orchestra

1. I. Allegro - Presto (7:42)
2. II. Recitativo - Allegro moderato - Aria. Largo (7:28)
3. III. Rondo. Allegro vivace (6:45)

Carlos de Seixas: Concerto in A major for Harpsichord and Strings

1. Allegro (2:03)
2. Adagio (3:30)
3. Giga. Allegro (2:32)

Anonymous (Seixas's school?): Concerto in G minor for Harpsichord and Strings

1. I. Allegro cantabile (5:50)
2. II. Adagio (5:42)
3. III. Allegro (5:00)

Publishers

Original recording produced by Hungaroton in 1983 (SLPX 12392). CD reissue manufactured by Denon, Nippon Columbia Co. Ltd., Japan. Cover design by Péter Nagy featuring a painting by Watteau. Score publications: 1. Ed. Suvini Zerboni, Milano, Published by G. C. Ballola; 2. Fundaçao Calouste, Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 1969, Published by Pierre Salzmann; 3. A copy of a manuscript, C. P. and C. Lisboa.

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