Gustav Leonhardt is a Claveciniste, Organiste and Leader Dutch, born the May 30th 1928 in Graveland (Netherlands)

Biography

Gustav Leonhardt follows musical studies in its native land then improves between 1947 and 1950 with the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Basle at Eduard Müller. It begins professionally with Vienna in 1950 when it plays the Art of the running away of Bach and records its first discs. It is named in 1952 professor with the National Academy of Music. In 1955, with Amsterdam, it teaches with the national Academy. He is also titular organist in Nieuwe Kerk of the city after having been a long time that of the Waalse Kerk. He founds this same year the Leonhardt Consort, which made much for the revival of the Baroque music. He also collaborates with many musicians like Nikolaus Harnoncourt, recording with him the integral of the cantatas of Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, the brothers Kuijken or Frans Brüggen.

In 1967, it holds the role of Bach in film of Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet, Chronique of Anna-Magdalena Bach .

In 1970-71 it bases, on proposal of Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, the Orchestra of the Small Band, 1st orchestra permanent baroque on instruments of time, with for permanent chief appointed the violonist Sigiswald Kuijken. Revolutionary unit which will be thereafter the model and the base of all the orchestras baroques.

In 1969, it obtains a pulpit with the Université of Harvard. In 1980, it obtains the Prix Erasme. He is also doctor Honoris causa universities of Yale, Harvard, Washington, Dallas, Metz, Amsterdam, Padoue.

He gives approximately a hundred concerts per annum the majority as soloist (Orgue, Clavecin, Clavicorde and claviorganum), and directs orchestras baroques.

As a musicologist, it published a study on the Art of the running away of Bach (1952/85), and published works for keyboards of Sweelinck. It recorded also much as a Organiste, Claveciniste and Leader. Its discography counts more than 200 references.

For a few years, it has regularly published discs for the label Alpha (parts for organ, harpsichord or Claviorganum) and Early Music Records, Russia.

In May 2007, it recorded for the Alpha label, of new profane cantatas of Jean-Sebastien Bach, with the unit Café Zimmermann of Céline Frisch. It had begun this integral for the Philips label and had carried out 4 Cd; other volumes should follow and constitute an integral of the profane cantatas. It also has just left Forqueray (harpsichord) for the Russian label Early Music Records Russia.

In 2007, it receives the Cross of Commander of Arts and the Letters.

Gustav Leonhardt formed of the generations of harpsichordists such as Bob Van Asperen, Christopher Hogwood, Your Koopman, Alan Curtis, Pierre Hantai, Leon Berben, Genevieve Soly, Scott Ross, Jan Willem Jansen, Skip Sempé, Siebe Henstra, Menno of Delft, Elisabeth Joyé, etc

Gustav Leonhardt can be regarded as a intellectual and artistic authority on the old music. Each one of its interpretations is a mixture of austerity, life, balance and beauty.

Discography

One regrets the too small availability of the leg of Gustav Leonhardt. Almost all at Sony, Teldec, DHM, or Philips is untraceable today.

Harpsichord solo: Type-setters

• Bach: Variations Goldberg (1952) Vanguard, (1965) Warner/Teldec and (1978) DHM
• Bach: Chromatic imagination and running away, Toccatas, continuations, Italian Concerto, Opening to the Frenchwoman (1975) Sony/Seon
• Bach: Partitas (1977) DHM and (1985) Emi " Reflex" /Virgin
• Bach: The Art of the Running away (1952) Vanguard and (1969) DHM
• Bach: English continuations (1975) Sony/Seon and (1985) EMI " Reflex" /Virgin
• Bach: Quite Moderate keyboard books 1 and 2 (1969/72) DHM
• Bach: Little book of Anna-Magdalena Bach (1973) DHM
• Bach: Works for harpsichord (1968) Warner/Teldec
• Bach: Musical offering (1973) Sony/Seon
• Bach: Inventions and Sinfonias (1974) Sony/Séon
• Bach: Italian concerto - Opening to the Frenchwoman (1974) Teldec and (1978) DHM
• Bach: French continuations (1975) Sony/Séon
• Bach: Transcriptions (1982) DHM
• Bach: Continuations, Toccata, Capriccio, Fantasia… (1984) Philips
• CPE Bach: Sonatas, rondos, imaginations - harpsichord, clavichord and pianoforte (1976) DHM
• CB Balbastre et al. Couperin (1980) DHM
• G. Boehm: Openings and continuations (1992) Sony
• W. Byrd: parts for the harpsichord (2003) Alpha
• J. Duphly and Forqueray parts for the harpsichord (1975/77) Sony/Seon
• Couperin (Louis, François & Armand-Louis): Parts of harpsichord (1987) Philips
• F. Couperin: 3 orders (1973) DHM
• F. Couperin: 3 orders (1995) Philips
• L. Couperin: Continuations and Pavane (1979) DHM
• Forqueray: Continuations of harpsichord (1973) Sony Seon, (1991) Sony Vivarte and (2005) EMR Russia
• Frescobaldi: First book of whims 1624 harpsichord and organ (1978) DHM
• Frescobaldi: Works for harpsichord (1990) Philips
• Frescobaldi & Louis Couperin: Parts for harpsichord (2002) Alpha
• Froberger & Weckman: Toccata & Continuations (1996) Sony
• Froberger: Continuations and Toccatas (1962) DHM
• Froberger: Works for harpsichord (1990) DHM
• Froberger: Works for harpsichord and organ (1970) Teldec
• J Kuhnau: Biblical sonatas harpsichord and organ (1976) Teldec
• Mozart: Sonatas for the pianoforte (1971) Sony/séon
• Purcell & Blow: Voluntaries, Continuations & Grounds 1994) Philips
• D. Scarlatti: 10 Sonatas (1970) DHM
• D. Scarlatti: 12 Sonatas (1978) Sony/Séon

Harpsichord solo: Recitals

• Recital harpsichord and claviorganum Bach, Byrd, Gibbons, Ritter, Stroger, Pachelbel… (2003) Alpha
• Recital varied harpsichord Kuhnau, Bach, Branch, Royer, Scarlatti, Boismortier… (1987) Philips
• Recital Italian Music, Frescobaldi, Turini, Caccini, Marini, Scarlatti (1964) Warner/Teldec
• Recital virginalists (1969) DHM
• Recital virginalists Fantasia, Pavans & Galliards , Parts of Byrd, Morley, Bull, Fanaby, Gibbons… (1992) Philips
• Recital clavichord: Bach, Ritter, CPE Bach, WF Bach (1988) Philips
• Bach Recital, Couperin, Purcell, Branch & Scarlatti (1988) Philips
• Recital varied harpsichord Branch, Royer, Duphly, Russet-red (1990) the DHM

Organ

• Recital organ of Kosterneuburg (1950) Vanguard - 1st disc of Gustav Leonhardt -
• Recital Frescobaldi organ of Hofkirche with Innsbruck and harpsichord (1951) Vanguard
• varied Bach Recital - organ of Waalse Kerk to Amsterdam (1974) Sony/Seon
• varied Bach Recital and clavierubung 3 (organ of Alkmaar) (1990) DHM
• Sweelinck: works for organ (1972) DHM
• Music of organ of Germany of North (1992) Sony
• Music of organ of France and of the South of the Netherlands (1993) Sony
• Organ historical of Austria: Works of Kerll, Froberger, Fischer, Muffat, Pachelbel… - organ of Schlagl and Klosterneuburg - (1995) (Sony)
• the organ Riepp (1766) of Ottobeurren F. Couperin, Kerkhoven, CPE Bach (1968) DHM
• Holy the Schnitger organ of the church Jacques in Hamburg (1995) Sony; Praetorius, Buxtehude, Weckmann, JS Bach…
• the organ Dom Bédos of Holy Cross of Bordeaux (1748); F. Couperin, Merchant, Blow, Kerkhoven, Fischer… (2001) Alpha
• Recital organ of the Rebirth and the period Baroque: The Alps 1971 (Sony/Seon)
• Recital organ of the Rebirth and the Baroque: Italy of north (1970-74) (Sony/Seon)
• Recital organ of the Rebirth and the Baroque: Holland (1984) (Sony/Seon)
• Recital organ of the Rebirth and the Baroque: Germany of north (1973-76) (Sony/Seon)

Chamber music

• Bach: Sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord Bwv 1027-1029 (with W. Kuijken) (1973) DHM
• Bach: Sonatas for violin and harpsichord Bwv 1014-1019 (with S. Kuijken) (1973) DHM
• Bach: Sonatas for flute and harpsichord (with F. Bruggen) (1976) Sony/Seon
• Bach: Sonatas for flute and harpsichord (with B. Kuijken) (1986) DHM
• Corelli: Folia and sonatas opus 5 (with F. Bruggen and A.Bylsma) (1976) (Sony/Seon)
• Hotteterre: Integral of the sonatas for flute or oboe and b.c. (with F.Bruggen/Kuijkens/Haynes) (1976) (Sony/Seon)
• Lawes: Royal The Consort (Leonhardt: violate/Jacobs/Kuijkens) (1971) Sony/Seon
• Mozart: Sonatas for pianoforte and violin (with S Kuijken) (1972) Sony/Seon
• Telemann: 6 Parisian Quartets (with Bruggen/Bylsma/Schroder) (1970) Teldec
• Telemann: 12 Parisian Quartets (with Kuijkens) (1998) Sony
• Telemann: 12 sonatas méthodiche (with Bruggen/Bylsma/de Vries) (1977) (Sony/Seon)
• Telemann: New quartets in six continuations (with Bruggen/Schroder/Bylsma) (1968) (Teldec)
• Telemann: Sonatas in trio (with Bruggen/Dombrecht/Bylsma/Kuijkens) (1979) (Sony/Seon)
• Vivaldi: Concerti with 3,4,5… (with F. Bruggen/Kuijkens) (1971) Teldec

Harpsichord & orchestra

• Bach: integral of the concertos for 1,2, 3 and 4 harpsichord (S) (1970 to 73) Teldec
• CPE Bach: concertos for harpsichord, double concerto (1975) Sony/Seon
• Music in Versailles: of Anglebert, Marsh, Holy Dove (1973) DHM

Direction

• Bach: integral of the 200 cantatas crowned with Nikolaus Harnoncourt (1971 to 89) teldec (out of box 60 Cd) G. Leonhardt directs the cantatas: Bwv 7-10, 12-14, 16,22,23,32,33,39,40,45,46,48-56, 66,67,73-75, 77,79,88-90, 98,100,103,106,107,113,114,117,127-129, 132-134, 143,144,149-151, 157-159, 164-166, 170,172,175,176,180,181,184,187,195,197 & 198.
• Bach: Passion According to Saint Matthieu (1988) DHM
• Bach: Oratorios of Easter and the Rise (1994) Philips
• Bach: 3 crowned cantatas - BWV 27,34 and 41 - (1993) Sony
• Bach: profane cantatas (the Nineties and 2007) Orchestrated and old Choir off the off Enlightenment Philips and together " Zimmermann" coffee; Alpha (appeared in October 2007)
• Bach: Mass in so minor (1985) the Small Band EMI/DHM
• Bach: Concertos Brandebougeois (1977,79) Sony/Seon.
• CPE Bach: Concertos (1975) Sony/Seon
• CPE Bach: 4 Symphonies Wq183 & Symphony for Wq cords 182 n° 5 (1988) Virgin
• CPE Bach: 3 Concertos for violoncello Wq 170-173 (1988) with Anner Bylsma and Orchestrated off the old off Enlightenment Virgin
• HIF Biber: 2 Requiem (1988/90) DHM
• Blow: Ode on the death of H Purcell and antiennes (1978) (Sony/Seon)
• Campra: Venetian festivals (opera - extracts) (1969) DHM
• Campra: gallant Europe (opera - extracts) (1970) DHM
• F. Couperin: The Nations (1969) Teldec
• AM Grétry: The judgment of Midas (opera - extracts) (1980) Ricercar
• Lully: The middle-class man Gentleman (extracted) (booklet of Molière) (1971) DHM
• Monteverdi: Madrigaux with Rene Jacobs (1977) Sony/Seon
• Monteverdi: Vespers of Saint Jean Baptist (1984) Philips
• Purcell and Locke: Antiennes and Hymnes, Vonlontaries (1995) Sony
• Purcell: antiennes, and various parts (1973) Teldec
• Purcell: Odes for the Queen Mary (1992) Virgin
• Branch: Zais, opera in a prolog and 5 acts (1977) STIL
• Branch: Pygmalion - act of ballet (1980) DHM
• Branch: parts of harpsichord in concerts - with Bruggen/Kuijkens- (1973) Teldec
• Branch: continuation of orchestra of the " Paladins" (1991) Philips
• A. Steffani: Stabat MATER (1990) DHM
• Telemann: Tafelmusik (integral) (1965) Teldec
• F. Valleys: Missa Scala Aretina (1991) DHM
• Cantatas Italians: Porpora, Caldara, Haendel (with R. Jacobs) (1977) Sony/Seon

Some played instruments

It is interesting to find the instruments of recording in recording.

Harpsichords

Gustav Leonhardt has at his place 7 harpsichords of invoices and various schools of which only one old, virginal, a clavichord, a CH organ. Muller 1730 and various very many varied instruments: viols, violoncellos, violins (a J. Stainer 1677 in Marie Leonhardt), various old flutes…

the majority of the harpsichords, virginal, clavichord, cabinets of organ, pianoforte belong or belonged to Gustav Leonhardt.

Germans

• harpsichord August Grabner, Dresden 1782 (DHM)
• harpsichord Reinhard von Nagel, Paris 1984 according to Mr. Mietke, Berlin 1717/18 (Philips)
• harpsichord Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728 (Bach) (Sony/Seon)
• harpsichord Anthony Sidey 1995 - school G. Silbermann 1735 (Bach) (Alpha)
• harpsichord Bruce Kennedy, Amsterdam, 1986 according to Mr. Mietke, Berlin, 1717/18 (Boehm/Sony)

French

• harpsichord of Malcolm Pink according to Lodewijk Theewes 1579 (W. Byrd) (Alpha)

(French)

• harpsichord William Dowd , according to French models medium 18th (1970) (Philips)
• harpsichord William Dowd , Paris, 1975, according to F.E. Strainer (Sony/Seon, DHM, Teldec…)
• harpsichord Vincent Tibaut, Toulouse 1680 - Emile Jobin /L. Couperin/Alpha
• harpsichord Henri Hemsch, Paris 1751 (Forqueray/EMR) (castle of Flawinne - Namur)
• harpsichord David Rubio, Oxford 1970 according to Pascal Taskin 1780 (cbt delivers 2/Forqueray and Duphly)
• harpsichord Martin Skowroneck, Bremen 1984 according to NR. Lebebvre, Rouen 1755 (English continuations 2 various recitals Philips and DHM) G. Leonhardt a long time made pass this instrument for authentic making fun of the " experts" who had authenticated it and of criticisms!

Italians

• harpsichord Carlo Grimaldi, Messine 1697 (Germanic national museum with Nurenberg) (DHM)
• Italian harpsichord Martin Skowroneck, Bremen 1957 (Frescobaldi/Alpha) (property of Sempé Skip)
• harpsichord Martin Skowroneck, Bremen 1961 according to Italian models (Froberger-1970/Teldec)

Flemings

• harpsichord Andreas Ruckers, Antwerp 1637 (currently with the museum of Copenhagen) (old collection G. Leonhardt) (DHM, Teldec, Sony/Seon, DHM)
• harpsichord Andreas Ruckers, Antwerp 1640 (castle of Velen collection Baron von Landsberg-Velen) - (recital virginalists 1969 and Froberger 1962) (DHM)
• harpsichord Joel Katzman, Amsterdam, 1987 ( Fantasia, Pavans & Galliards /Philips; (Recital Bach, Couperin Purcell, Scarlatti/Philips) the Philips booklet contains a photograph
• harpsichord Geert Karman, Amsterdam, 1994 according to Johannes Ruckers, 1624 (Weckman/Froberger/Sony)
• harpsichord Martin Skowroneck, Bremen 1962 - according to Jean-Daniel Dulcken (instrument very often used during 15 years per G. Leonhardt, currently at Gleen Wilson)
• harpsichord Rainer Schutze 1961, Heidelberg , according to J.D. Dulcken (Sony/Seon, DHM, Teldec…)

Other

• harpsichord industrialist 1932 (for the first Vanguard discs) It belonged to the parents of G. Leonhardt.

Clavichord, Virginal, Claviorganum

• Virginal Martin Skowroneck , Bremen, 1970 Fantasia, Pavans & Galliards /Philips) - the Philips booklet contains a photograph
• Clavicorde Martin Skowroneck 1967 (Recital Bach, Ritter, WF Bach & CPE Bach/Philips and G Boehm - Sony)
• Claviorganum Matthias Greewisch 2001, according to an Italian model of Friedrich Lieb (Alpha)

Organ

Germany

• Organ Riepp of the abbey of Ottobeuren (1766) (DHM)
• Organ Arp Schnitger of the church Ludgeri Saint in Norden (Sony)
• Schnitger/Ahrendt Organ of the church Jacques Saint in Hamburg (Sony)
• Organ of Holy Cosmae, Stage (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the church Holy Materniani, Ochtersum (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the reformed Church of Rysum (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of Saint Paul in Uttum (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of Sint Marien in Marienhafe (Sony/Seon)

Austria

• Organ Johann Christoph Egedacher (1664-1747) of the abbey of Prémontrés de Schlägl ( Organ Histories of Austria /Sony)
• Organ Freundt (17th S.) of the Collegial Sinat-Augustin with Klosterneuburg (idem)
• Organ Jörg Ebert of the Hofkirche in Innsbruck (1550) (Vanguard)
• Organ of the abbey of Prémontrés of Wilten, in Innsbruck (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the Cistercian abbey of Wilhering, Linz (1743) (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the Cistercian abbey of Stams, the Tyrol (Sony/Seon)

Belgium

• Organ Andre Silbermann in Leuwen (Sony)
• Organ Peter Goltfuss Sint-Jan-of-To dope, Begijnhofkerk in Leuwen (Sony)

Denmark

• Raphaëlis Organ of the Cathedral of Roskilde (1654) - Restored in 1992 (Sony)
• Organ of the castle of Frederiksborg (built by Proetorius in 1610) (Sony/Seon)

France

• Organ Dom Bédos of Holy Cross of Bordeaux 1748 (remade by P Quoirin between 1984 and 1997) (recital Alpha)
• Organ Claude Parisot (1739) of Notre-Dame de Guibray with Falaise , Normandy (Sony)

Italy

• Organ rebirth of Brescia (Ca 1550) DHM Teldec Sony/Seon
• 2 Organ rebirth of the Basilica San Pietro of Bologna (Ca 1550-1600) Frescobaldi/DHM
• Organ of the Cathedral San Martino of Bologna (Ca 1600-50) Froberger/Teldec
• Organ of the church San Giuseppe, in Brescia (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the church San Carlo, in Brescia (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the church San Michele Ancangelo, in Caselle d' Altivole (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the church Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, in Venice (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the church San Bernardino, in Carpi (Sony/Seon)
• Orgue Della Chiesa Dyes with carmine, of Lugo (Sony/Seon)
• Orgue of the castle of Churburg, in Val Venosta (Sony/Seon)

Netherlands

• Organ Hagerbeer/Arp Schnitger de Alkmaar (3rd part of the clavierubung) (DHM)
• Organ Hagerbeer of Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam (1635-1640) (G Leonhardt: holder) (DHM Teldec and Sony/Seon)
• 2 cabinets of organ Christian Muller in Amsterdam (1730) (J. Kuhnau) (collection G. Leonhardt). One of them, destroyed in a fire at the organ builder in 1988) (Teldec)
• Orgue of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam (Teldec, DHM, Sony/Seon)
• Orgue of the Waalse Kerk in Amsterdam (Teldec, DHM, Sony/seon) G. Leonhardt was titular organ.
• Organ of the Buitenkerk, Kampen (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the Grote Kerk in Edam (Blow/Purcell) 1995 (Philips)

Switzerland

• Organ of the church Holy James de Compatsch, Grison (Sony/Seon)
• Organ of the Klosterkirche de Muri, Aargau (Sony/Seon)

Pianoforte

• pianoforte Walter Vienna 1781 (Mozart) (old collecion G Leonhardt - resold with a pupil)

(Sony/Seon: Mozart)

Bonds

• Discography by editor Illustrated, but any details of the contents or comments.
• Some vidéos on youtube

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