SONATAS FOR HARPSICHORD

? First recording of harpsichord sonatas by Josep Gallés.
? Harpsichordist Michele Benuzzi found in the Bibioteca de Catalunya in
Barcelona the manuscript of 23 keyboard sonatas by Spanish composer
Josep Gallés (1758-1836). Gallés was a transitory composer gapping the
bridge between Baroque and Classical, like Domenico Scarlatti, whose
sonatas they clearly resemble.
? The Sonatas are in one movement in binary form. His style took the
heritage of Scarlatti using many of the folkloristic patterns of Spanish
music such as guitar-like arpeggios, alternations of major and minor,
exotic scales, dance rhythms, use of syncopations and crossed hands as
well as the use of extravagant modulations and enharmonic passages.
? A true find by Michele Benuzzi, who already presented newly discovered
keyboard works by Nichelmann (BC94809) and Hässler (BC94293,
“Excellent…one of the most interesting CD’s I have heard of late” Musicweb).