John Worgan: Complete Harpsichord Music
The organist and harpsichordist John Worgan (1724–90) was one of the most highly respected musicians in the London of his day: Handel admired his playing, and Burney described him as ‘very masterly and learned’. All that survives of his harpsichord music are a ‘New Concerto’, an independent Allegro non tanto and two collections, one of six sonatas and the other of thirteen teaching pieces, but they encompass an eclectic variety of styles and a surprising range of emotions – proud, spirited, witty, impulsive, touching, vivacious – making Worgan sound something like an English Domenico Scarlatti.
Julian Perkins, double-manual harpsichord from the workshop of Jacobus Kirckman, 1772 (Tracks 1–15, 29–31)
Timothy Roberts, double-manual harpsichord by Klaus Ahrend, 1973, after Dulcken (Tracks 16–28)
Listen To This Recording:
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Allegro non tanto in D minor (publ. c. 1795)
- Allegro non tanto in D minor
- I Allegro
- II Largo
- III Presto
- I Spiritoso
- II Air: Affetuoso e dolce
- III Spiritoso
- I Andante amoroso
- II Presto
- III Minuet Affettuoso
- I Allegro
- II Bizzaria: Affettuoso – Allegro – Affettuoso – Allegro
- I Larghetto
- II A Tempo di Gavott
- Sarabande with Variations
- Allegro in C major
- Vivace in C major
- Allegro in G major
- Tempo di Minuetto in G major
- Allegro in D major
- Gavot in D major
- Allegro di spirito in F major
- Andante in F major
- Tempo giusto e Moderato in B flat major
- Allegro Moderato in E flat major
- Allegro comodo in A major
- Larghetto Affetuoso e Cantabile in A major
- Allegro moderato in A major
- I Allegro
- II Larghetto
- III Minuet
Six Sonatas for the Harpsichord (publ. 1769)
Sonata I in G major
Sonata II in C major
Sonata III in F major
Sonata IV in B flat major
Sonata V in E flat major
Sonata VI in D major
Pieces for the Harpsichord, composed purposely for forming the Hands of Young Pupils to that Instrument (1780)
A New Concerto for the Harpsichord in G major (publ. 1785)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘he [John Worgan] was well known to Handel, who much admired his playing, and to Charles Burney who termed him ‘very masterly and learned’. […]
Roberts plays on a Klaus Ahrend double-manual instrument from 1973 (after Dulcken) whilst Perkins uses a harpsichord from the workshop of Jacobus Kirckman of 1772. Both sound excellent and have been splendidly recorded in two different churches.
Both instrumentalists contribute to the full and engaging booklet notes.
Worgan may not have tilled new soil, nor are his keyboard works especially grandiose or ambitious. But they have real character and a sense of personality, they cover a wide array of moods and are splendidly brought to life here in all their wit and charm.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International