Burgess, A: The Bad-Tempered Electronic Keyboard
Stephane Ginsburgh (piano)
Burgess’ 1985 work pays homage not only to Bach, but to Shostakovich, particularly in its more rugged dissonant counterpoint. There’s a hint of Ronald Stevenson in the writing, too, and some...
Burgess, A: The Bad-Tempered Electronic Keyboard
Stephane Ginsburgh (piano)
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Burgess’ 1985 work pays homage not only to Bach, but to Shostakovich, particularly in its more rugged dissonant counterpoint. There’s a hint of Ronald Stevenson in the writing, too, and some...
About
During a prolific period in his artistic life, both musically and as an author – he often referred to himself principally as a composer who had drifted into authorship – Anthony Burgess composed a set of 24 Preludes and Fugues called The Bad-Tempered Electronic Keyboard, written to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach. This ingenious and inventive piece, with its brief romantic and music hall elements, oscillates between the classicism of Bach and the modernity of Shostakovich, whose own set of Preludes and Fugues had been written in 1950-51.
Contents and tracklist
- Stephane Ginsburgh (piano)
- Recorded: 10-13 July 2017
- Recording Venue: Studio 1, Flagey, Brussels, Belgium
Awards and reviews
May 2018
Burgess’ 1985 work pays homage not only to Bach, but to Shostakovich, particularly in its more rugged dissonant counterpoint. There’s a hint of Ronald Stevenson in the writing, too, and some might even find passing nods to the severity of Sorabji’s Opus Clavicembalisticum. A ‘Fantasia on BACH’ is perhaps inevitable; less predictable is a finale entitled ‘Natale 1985’ based on three famous Christmas carols. Stephane Ginsburgh makes the finest case imaginable, his sound superbly captured. Recommended.
classicalsource.com January 2018
One admires Stephane Ginsburgh’s manifest dedication to music which, simply because of its provenance, may well be heard by many more listeners who would otherwise not bother had the composer been John Doe. Burgess had a musical gift, there is no doubt.
