New Album: Ensemble Diderot shines a spotlight on its harpsichordist Philippe Grisvard in World Premiere recordings of repertoire from the court of Frederick II.
Famed for imaginative concepts and first recordings, Ensemble Diderot’s latest series of recordings spotlighting members of the ensemble now turns to the ensemble’s harpsichordist: Philippe Grisvard, described by Diapason as having “iron hands in velvet gloves”. As this new album is launched the ensemble also collects an International Classical Music Award (ICMA) on 12th April for their last album “Sonate a quattro”. In this new album Philippe has chosen the repertoire of lesser-known composers from the court of Frederick II, continuing Ensemble Diderot’s comprehensive exploration of the style of the Berlin School. Each work is a World Premiere recording. The decision not to include Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach in this programme facilitates the rehabilitation and rediscovery of composers whose contribution to the concerto genre is no less important. The result is a completely new programme of virtuoso works in which the spirit of Bach, father and son, shines through time and again.
“Together with my colleagues from Ensemble Diderot, I wanted to offer a program that avoided the usual well-trodden paths… [but] the attentive listener will realise that the shadow of Bach – father, son, or both– is never far away” Philippe Grisvard
‘Berlin Harpsichord Concertos’ follows ‘The Beginnings of the Violin Concerto in France’ with Johannes Pramsohler and ‘Cello Concertos From Northern Germany’ with Gulrim Choï. Ensemble Diderot, founded and led by Johannes Pramsohler, have received a glittering array of awards for their discography, including BBC Music Magazine Chamber Choice, Gramophone Editor’s Choice, The Guardian albums of the year, Diapason d’Or, ICMA and Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.
Programme:
* world premiere recordings
Christoph Nichelmann (1717–1762) Concerto in D minor*
Carl Heinrich Graun (c1704/05–1759) Concerto in D major, WVC:XIII:72*
Christoph Schaffrath (c1710–1763) Concerto in C minor, CSWV:C:11*
Ernst Wilhelm Wolf (1735–1792) Concerto in B-flat major*
Release date: 17 May 2024. Audax Records
