ANTONIO SOLER : Sonatas for Harpsichord, Vol. 7 (Gilbert Rowland) (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

No. 10 in B minor is one of the most stunning and spectacular of all Soler's works. Dashing runs, hand-crossings frequently involving left hand jumps of four octaves, and wide skips in the bass are all used with a breathtaking virtuosity and brilliance which at times goes even beyond Scarlatti's extreme flights of fancy in this sphere. A quotation from the preface to Rubio's edition of the Soler Sonatas describes the second of this pair, Sonata No. 11, as "a truly delightful piece, full of charm and poetry which the divine Mozart himself could have signed". This perhaps eloquently sums up the character of Soler's only keyboard venture into the (for the period) somewhat outlandish key of B major, though whether Mozart would have agreed with that statement is open to speculation.

Despite the varied thematic material and lively rhythms of Sonata No. 39 (in D minor), this rich-­textured and passionate work has a rather dark and sombre character. Virtuoso elements include arpeggios and passages in thirds.

No. 3 in B flat major is a lyrical slow movement whose thematic material is almost entirely governed by the step-wise rise and fall of the opening bars. Towards the end of each section the general mood of calm and tranquillity is momentarily disrupted by some flamboyant arpeggios in the left hand.

Nos. 80, 81 and 82 form an interesting trilogy, the first of which is a fine work whose rhythmic drive and physical energy are powerfully enhanced by the frequent use of octaves in the bass, dotted rhythms and wide leaps. There are also some striking modulations and harmonic progressions. Sonata No. 81 is not in Soler's customary binary form, and the constant alternation of fiery, urgent quick sections with operatic-sounding cantabile passages make this one of the most exciting and individual works among the composer's output. Sonata No. 82 is a charmingly rustic jig-like work in 6/8 time with an abundance of trills and much imitation between the hands. The opening bars are developed in the manner of a three-part invention at the start of the second half, where the listener receives an aural impression of 9/8 time.

The somewhat melancholy Sonata No. 113 in E minor is without doubt one of Soler's most memorable and beautiful slow movements. There are many guitar-­like repeated chords in the left hand accompanying soulful melodies in the right, and some of the modulations are almost romantic in feeling.

The first of the sprightly pair of sonatas which comprises Nos. 112 and 108 in C major is a work full of rhythmic vitality, containing some arresting modulations and harmonic changes, as well as being totally unpredictable in its abundant flow of ideas. The second, subtitled Del Gallo (‘The Cock's Crowing’), is Soler's answer to Rameau's 'La Poule', and a delightfully humorous little work it is too, with its dotted rhythms and frequent acciacaturas. Shortly after the double bar the cuckoo appears to join in for a while!

No. 97 in A major is the first of a set of three four-movement sonatas (Op. 8) dating from 1783. They differ in structure from the Op. 4 set in that the Minuets (which in this case follow the standard Minuet and Trio form of the Viennese Classical Symphony) are placed second, and the third movement is a Rondo in each case. The hand-crossings and easy-going 'Galant' manner of the first movement give way to more vigorous Minuet with a Trio in the minor. The jaunty rhythms of the Rondo are offset by two longer episodes of which the second in particular, in the relative minor, contains passages of virtuosic display. The buoyant, syncopated rhythms heard at the opening of the last movement soon give way to an extended passage of almost Schubertian lyricism, only to be resumed at the end of each half. A sequential passage appearing shortly after the start of the second section leads back to a reprise of the opening theme. Gilbert Rowland

Padre Antonio Soler (1729-1783)

1    Sonata No. 10 In B Minor    9:11
2    Sonata No. 11 In B Major    6:13
3    Sonata No. 39 In D Minor    4:25
4    Sonata No. 3 In B Flat Major    5:46
5    Sonata No. 80 In G Minor    6:32
6    Sonata No. 81 In G Minor    3:17
7    Sonata No. 82 In G Major    4:01
8    Sonata No. 113 In E Minor    5:13
9    Sonata No. 112 In C Major    5:15
10    Sonata No. 108 In C Major (Del Gallo)    3:26
11-14    Sonata No. 97 In A Major (Op. 8 No. 1, 1783)    

Harpsichord – Gilbert Rowland