Bull: Harpsichord Music

Doctor Bull's good Night
John Bull: Pièces pour clavier
Pierre Hantaï
Astrée (Auvidis) E 8543
Astrée "trésors" 128543
Naïve Astrée 8838

Contents:

  1. In Nomine (MB No. 12)
  2. Pavan in the second tone
  3. Galliard (MB No. 78)
  4. The King's hunt
  5. Germain's alman
  6. English toy
  7. Why aske you
  8. Fantasia (MB No. 10)
  9. Melancoly galliard
  10. In Nomine (MB No. 9)
  11. Dutch dance
  12. Pavan fantastic
  13. Gaillard to the pavan
  14. In Nomine (MB No. 4)
  15. In Nomine (MB No. 5)
  16. Fantasia (MB No. 15)
  17. Doctor Bull's goodnight
  18. Lord Lumley's gaillard
  19. Salvator mundi (MB No. 2)
  20. Irish toy
  21. Chromatic pavan
  22. Chromatic gaillard
  23. The Duke of Brunswick's Alman

Playing time: 74'

Recording date: June 1994

Instrument: Italian harpsichord "F. A. 1677" - Kenneth Gilbert's collection

Excerpts:
[15] Naïve (Auvidis) "Special" AS 1 29002 [CD] Shakespeare et la Musique Anglaise - Shakespeare and English Music

Together with Byrd and Gibbons, John Bull (c.1563-1628) was one of the leading English keyboard composers of the era. Many of his compositions are among the most complex examples in the form, combining virtuoso passage-work with intricate counterpoint. Other compositions are more light-spirited.

Bull's music can be very difficult, and opinions differ as to the proper way to approach many of these pieces. Some have even conjectured that Bull used equal temperament (though this has been largely discredited). Many of the most complicated pieces (Fantasias, In Nomines) seem to work a little better on the organ. A recording:

Dr. John Bull: Organ Musicke
Etienne Baillot
K617 003 (Orgues de Moselle)

Other harpsichord recordings:

Bull: Pavans and Galliards
Joseph Payne
BIS 729
John Bull: Music for Harpsichord
Bob Van Asperen
Teldec (Das Alte Werk) 95532

And a mixed recital:

Bull: Keyboard and Organ Works
Siegbert Rampe
MD+G 341 1258

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Todd M. McComb