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.