Works for Harpsichord and String Orchestra

This really is a gem... and gems are rare, and especially delightful when they are unexpected. The J.S. Bach 2-harpsichord concerto is fabulous, the performance is crisp and brilliant, and the sonics really are wonderful. The Hugo Distler composition is neo-Baroque-ish with modern twists -- intriguing, interesting and enormous fun.

This is by far the best harpsichord recording I have encountered. The instruments sound magnificent. The performances are top notch. Highly Recommended.

Ms. Galowich hails from Luxembourg, teaches at the Conservatory there, and concertizes with Immerseel in works for two harpsichords. Galowich selected the works on the recording to create a balanced program with connections between them.

Galowich presents only the final variation movements of his Harpsichord Concerto because she feels the music stands alone without the earlier movements, and is “truly imbued with genius.” The 14-member Anima Eterna ensemble joins the harpsichordist in this work, while the opening C.P.E. work is for a solo harpsichord and the closing J.S. Bach work is performed as Bach originally wrote it – for two keyboards without orchestral accompaniment as we usually hear it.

From the photo showing the mic placement we see that the recording engineer kept a sensible distance from the instrument, so there is no impression of a 50-foot-wide harpsichord on the recording or an exaggeration of noises in the action. The C.P.E. Bach suite is in five dance-form movements with melody and accompaniment, clearly in the more modern Classical style than the music of his father. The Distler Variations blend the original, medieval-sounding theme of Scheidt with much more modern instrumental writing of the 20th century in a fascinating mix. And the Bach Double Harpsichord Concerto provides an exciting meeting of two keyboard virtuosi, reproduced with ultimate clarity from their locations at your left and right frontal speakers. Their musical give-and-take hits me as effective and exciting.