Daphne 1041 Description:
Johan Helmich Roman “the Father of Swedish Music”
There are gaps in the available recordings of his works. One outstanding instance being
the music chosen for this production: “12 Suites for Keyboard Instrument”. Like,
say, the music of J. S. Bach, which is very often performed on a modern grand piano,
Roman’s music sounds both natural and living when played on modern instruments.
This music needs to be brought to life for a new generation of record listeners and
repertoire-questing pianists, both in Sweden and further afield. Then there will be no
reason for not expecting Roman’s name to have a chance of emerging from its
remarkable obscurity as that of a composer for keyboard instruments and acquiring
international standing, thereby reinstating him as “the Swedish virtuoso”.
Tracklist:
CD 1
Suite I in Eb Major, BeRI 225
1 Allegro
2 Adagio
3 Non tanto
4 Vivace
Suite II in D Major BeRI 226
5 *
6 Lento non troppo
7 Allegro moderato
8 Non troppo allegro
9 Presto
Suite III in G Major BeRI 227
10 Largo
11 *
12 Allegretto
13 Allegro assai
14 Menuet
Suite IV in D Major BeRI 228
15 Lento
16 Carillon, Allegro
17 Non troppo adagio
18 *
19 Allegretto
20 Presto
21 Villanella
Suite V in G minor BeRI 229
22 Con spirito
23 *
24 Lento
25 Vivace
26 Lento
27 Andante
Suite VI in Bb Major BeRI 230
28 *
29 Andante
30 Vivace
CD 2
Suite VII in F Major BeRI 231
1 Moderato
2 Vivace
3 Allegro
Suite VIII in A Major BeRI 232
4 Commodo
5 Lento
6 Vivace
7 Scozzese Vivace
Suite IX in D Minor BeRI 233
8 *
9 Adagio
10 *
11 Lento
Suite X in B Minor BeRI 234
12Adagio
13 Come Alla breve
14 *
15 *
16 Tempo di Minuetto
Suite XI in F Minor BeRI 235
17 *
18 *
19 Lento poco
20 *
Suite XII in E Minor BeRI 236
21 Allegro
22 *
23 *
* Without expression marking
Reviews:
“Ekberg succesfully highlights the delicate musical idiom and the charm of these unjustly neglected keyboard pieces.”
Ulf Gustavsson, UNT
“Ekberg plays with pregnant touch and focus on rhythmic drive [...] Not a day to soon for this Swedish musical treasure to be recorded for posterity. I hope that it reaches far beyond the national borders and attracts interest for Romans music among pianists around the world. “
MĂĄns Uggla, Nerikes allehanda
“A much anticipated groundbreaking effort, especially as Ekberg’s personal commitment permeats his interpretations, thus making the music come alive.”
Stig Johansson HiFi
“It is hard to imagine how anyone could be better prepared for the task, and Oskar fills Roman’s music with refinement and colour [...] One of the most exciting releases to come out of Sweden this year.”
Jan-Erik Zandersson, Nya Upplagan
Pianist Oskar Ekberg is a marvelous pianist. Perhaps he is by a thin margin less accomplished when compared to players who are the cream of the Scarlatti performance crop. Still, his performances of these suites are superb. He obviously loves this music, and I’m confident that he will make you love it too.
http://hbdirectclassical.wordpress.com/tag/oskar-ekberg/
Buy the record here:
http://cdon.eu/music/roman_j_h/12_keyboard_suites-19349141https://naxosdirect.com/labels/daphne-records-4158