“

The music is often technically demanding. Its content is highly varied, and Mattheson had an unusual ability to incorporate really fine melodies into the format of the baroque suite. His style is personal, and his keyboard virtuosity clear. Both are equally true of the player in this recording. Every fresh performance is not just to be warmly welcomed, but is really valuable. This is a very attractive set, which will help to give greater exposure to an unfamiliar composer of great character.

” —Colin Booth

“

Rowland makes an excellent argument for Mattheson’s harpsichord suites, which he rightly describes as “of a consistently high quality.” So are his stylistically informed performances. Warmly recommended.

” —Barry Brenesal

“

Rowland is a top-notch interpreter here, executing every phrase with consummate taste and skill and convincing rhetoric. His detailed booklet notes on each movement of each suite provide sure-footed guidance to the listener, and he is ideally captured by Athene’s recorded sound. Lovers of harpsichord repertoire need not hesitate in making this a major new acquisition to their collections; strongly recommended.

” —James A. Altena

“

These are, to say the least, wonderful works. Mattheson was an adept and original composer, whose style reflects a thorough knowledge of composition and the concurrent trends of the day. Harpsichordist Gilbert Rowland provides a sensitive and focused interpretation. The sound is clear and airy. In short, this is a must-have disc.

” —Bertil van Boer

“

A valuable document shedding some light on the music of a hitherto obscure composer. They are well-conceived mature works written in the French dance suite style.

” —Alex Baran

“

The “12 Suites” establish for us Mattheson’s idiomatic immersion in the baroque of his time but also a definite originality. The music comes alive thanks to Gilbert Rowland’s apposite and enthusiastic performances. The set will appeal to anyone who revels in baroque harpsichord. I for one am glad to hear and in the future re-hear these unknown gems!

” —Grego Edwards

“

The suites are mostly of medium difficulty and moderate inventiveness… Rowland does well to embellish the music, taking it far beyond the notation.

” —Bradley Lehmann

“

A triple CD of music for harpsichord in a nice presentation case and well played. Fans of keyboards need know no more. The playing is certainly fine and the music stands up well to Handel’s own harpsichord music… three hours of quality music.

” —Jeremy Condliffe

“

Certainly very musical and original, the Suites deserve to be considered on a level with those of Handel at the very least. These are masterful performances by Rowland, one of Europe’s most senior and accomplished harpsichord experts. Highly recommended.

” —John Pitt

“

[The Suites] turn out to be worth reviving. Skilfully made and loosely varied in form and texture…, I found them growing on me as Mattheson’s personality became more apparent. Gilbert Rowland’s playing is assured, robust and reliable.

” —Lindsay Kemp

“

[Rowland’s] playing is nothing short of excellent, restrained when sobriety is needed, brilliant when brightness is in order, always elegant and technically dazzling. As usual with anything issued by Divine Art, the production by Stephen Sutton and the boxed packaging are first class, the engineering by John Taylor is splendid, the multi-lingual liner notes by Gilbert Rowland himself scholarly yet entertaining. For the inveterate collector this set is well-worth acquiring.

” —Rafael de Acha