Pavan XVI Orlando Gibbons

With this recording I say farewell to a very fine instrument by Martin Skowroneck. It was built in 1959 for Alan Curtis, in the style of an Italian harpsichord from the 17th century (true ‘inner-outer’), and was tuned in quarter-comma meantone for this recording. This very special instrument has previously been recorded by Gustav Leonhardt and Skip Sempé, as well as by myself. It is going to a new home in the United States.
The Pavan in g minor by Orlando Gibbons is typical of the pavans from the early 17th century, which often seem to be more of a lamentation than a dance. It was catalogued as number XVI in Musica Britannica of Gibbons’ keyboard music.
Recorded at my home in Amsterdam on a Tascam audio recorder.

[@dalecarr6361]

Wonderfully luxurious piece, with references to Dowland's Lachrymae in the the top voice, at the beginning of the 1st & 2nd strains - maybe elsewhere as well.

[@JanWeinhold001]

Wonderful Douglas! You hit the melancholic character of this pavane right on the nose, and the instrument helps.

[@DouglasAmrine]

Thanks, Jan

[@TheresedeGoede]

Beautifully played, Douglas! Such a melancholy piece....

[@DouglasAmrine]

Thank you, Therese

[@horsesrivers3368]

Immer reizvoll

[@dalecarr6361]

I recall a different Skowroneck "Italian" at UCBerkeley that was inaugurated by Leonhardt in 1966 or so. It had apparently been damaged during shipping and there was a big to-do about getting it fixed - don't know how this was resolved.

[@DouglasAmrine]

I was told that Curtis ordered a variety of Skowroneck instruments for Berkeley. I don't know how many remain. This Italian was often used for his teaching and for student recitals.

[@dalecarr6361]

@@DouglasAmrine Your mentioning 'variety' prompted me to rethink: the Skowroneck "italian" was there earlier. It was a German style instrument by Skowroneck that Leonhardt inaugurated about 1966, & that was damaged during shipping.

[@wandalewlandowska]

Dale, UC Berkeley received a Skowroneck Zell copy c. 1966 which was ordered by Alan Curtis for the university. It was inaugurated by Gustav Leonhardt. That was the instrument damaged by a forklift operator, requiring it to be returned for major repairs to Martin Skowroneck who
said "My baby will never be the same!"

[@dalecarr6361]

@@wandalewlandowska Thanx for correction & additional info!

[@davidcalhoun4062]

Memory insists that Curtis had, betimes, no fewer than _eight_ Sko works in Berkeley - half of them his own, involving marital monies, and four at the school. I remember a long "Dulcken," the big German, at least one spinetta in the care of his "manager," ... I just wrote an essay on why harpsichords should belong to the musicians rather than to churches and schools, where incumbents and tastes change. At Cal, the next man up undertook to dump the Skos for Amsterdam instruments, his successor had richly deserved loyalties to John Phidllips, and who knows what's next? Any hints on what part of the continent might be about to receive this treasure?

[@dimitrigoldobine3408]

Bravo Douglas! And why "farewell"?

[@DouglasAmrine]

Thank you! I have sold this instrument because I have a Taskin and a muselaar being delivered later this year and I just don't have room for so many instruments. (I already have two other keyboard instruments.)