The baroque spirit in all its musical shapes. Sigiswald Kuijken Solo: a very personal project. In this episode l’Esprit Baroque we will feature Belgian musician and conductor Sigiswald Kuijken. He recently turned 80 and released a beautiful CD: “Sigiswald Kuijken Solo”.
Sigiswald Kuijken with violoncello da spalla (© Georg Thum, source: concerti.de)
On his newest CD, Sigiswald Kuijken performs his own selection of baroque music as a soloist on viola da gamba, violin, cello da spalla and harpsichord. He performs works by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Thomas Baltzar, Johann Sebastian Bach and Diego Ortiz.
Sigiswald Kuijken is a prominent Belgian musician and conductor. He has gained international recognition thanks to his historically informed performance practices. He was born in 1944 into a musical family (his brothers Wieland and Barthold also became accomplished musicians). Kuijken began his musical education at a young age and studied violin and viola at the conservatories of Brussels and Bruges. He was recognized for his mastery of Baroque music and performances on historical instruments, becoming a leading figure in the early music movement of the 20th century.
Kuijken is particularly acclaimed for his contributions to the performance of early music on authentic instruments. In 1972, he co-founded La Petite Bande, one of the earliest historical instrument ensembles, with the aim of performing Baroque and Classical music as it was originally intended. His meticulous attention to historical performance techniques, the use of gut strings, and historical bows have set a high standard in the realm of historically authentic performances. He combines a scientific approach with a passion for musical excellence, making him a central figure in the revival of early music. His legacy lies in his dedication to bringing music from the past to life in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences, enriching our understanding and appreciation of Baroque and Classical music.
His latest CD showcases exceptional mastery, revealing Kuijken’s diverse talents on various instruments. ‘Sigiswald Kuijken Solo’ is clearly a personal project. If you want to listen to all of Bach’s cello suites in their most compelling form, you’re looking in the wrong place. However, if your intention is to spend time with Kuijken as he plays his favourites on a diverse range of instruments, then this album, and thus this episode of L’Esprit Baroque, holds particular value.
Diego Ortiz (1510-1570)
1. Trattado de glosas, Recercada primera para viola de gamba sola
2. Trattado de glosas, Recercada segunda, para viola de gamba sola
3. Trattado de glosas, Recercado tercera, para viola de gamba sola
4. Trattado de glosas, Recercado segunda sobre tenores
Thomas Baltzar (ca. 1631-1663)
5. Prelude for violin in G major
6. Allemande for violin in C minor
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644-1704)
7. Passacaglia for violin, ‘Rosary sonata’
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
8. From Cello suite no.3 BWV 1009: Bourrées 1 en 2
9. From Cello suite no.2 BWV 1008: Allemande
10. Violin Partita no. 2 BWV 1004: Allemande, Corrente, Sarabanda
Sigiswald Kuijken, viola da gamba (1-4), violin (5-7), harpsichord (9) and violoncello da spalla (8)
(CD: ‘Sigiswald Kuijken Solo’, Accent ACC 24400, 2024)
Additionally:
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644-1704)
11. Sonatae tam aris quam aulis for 2 trumpets
Musica Antiqua Köln
