Smith, John Christopher. (1712-1795). Suites de Pieces pour le Clavecin. . With the Subscriber's List, including G.F. HandelLondon: John Walsh. 1737. First edition. Second Volume. RISM S 3683. 82 pages, oblong 24 X 33 cm, original leather binding, with ownership signature. Engraved, no PN. With the original subscriber's list, including G.F. Handel. In very fine condition.
A very scarce copy of these important works by Handel's student, assistant and copyist. The first suite of his keyboard works was published in 1732 and was followed five years later by the present second suite. According to Gwinlym Beechey ("The Keyboard Suites of John Christopher Smith," Revue belge de Musicologie, 1970), these suites "contain much spirited music and much variety of style. It was natural for Smith to model himself on Handel and the set of suites that had been issued in 1720, but in spite of this it is possible to perceive something of Smith's own musical personality in these suites." Beechey also notes that "it was not customary for composers in England to issue their keyboard suites and lessons with title pages in French, but Smith in this volume and in his second volume is obviously following the title page of Handel's first book of Suites (1720). Smith also gives each suite a French title in the course of both volumes, for example, 'Suite premiere pour le clavecin.'"
These suites date from the period in which Smith, still very young, became directly involved with the production of Handel's operas. According to Barbara Small (Grove Online), "when Handel's health deteriorated in 1737 [the year of publication of these suites], it was Smith who played the harpsichord."
A very scarce copy of these important works by Handel's student, assistant and copyist. The first suite of his keyboard works was published in 1732 and was followed five years later by the present second suite. According to Gwinlym Beechey ("The Keyboard Suites of John Christopher Smith," Revue belge de Musicologie, 1970), these suites "contain much spirited music and much variety of style. It was natural for Smith to model himself on Handel and the set of suites that had been issued in 1720, but in spite of this it is possible to perceive something of Smith's own musical personality in these suites." Beechey also notes that "it was not customary for composers in England to issue their keyboard suites and lessons with title pages in French, but Smith in this volume and in his second volume is obviously following the title page of Handel's first book of Suites (1720). Smith also gives each suite a French title in the course of both volumes, for example, 'Suite premiere pour le clavecin.'"
These suites date from the period in which Smith, still very young, became directly involved with the production of Handel's operas. According to Barbara Small (Grove Online), "when Handel's health deteriorated in 1737 [the year of publication of these suites], it was Smith who played the harpsichord."
Smith, John Christopher. (1712-1795). Suites de Pieces pour le Clavecin. . With the Subscriber's List, including G.F. HandelLondon: John Walsh. 1737. First edition. Second Volume. RISM S 3683. 82 pages, oblong 24 X 33 cm, original leather binding, with ownership signature. Engraved, no PN. With the original subscriber's list, including G.F. Handel. In very fine condition.
A very scarce copy of these important works by Handel's student, assistant and copyist. The first suite of his keyboard works was published in 1732 and was followed five years later by the present second suite. According to Gwinlym Beechey ("The Keyboard Suites of John Christopher Smith," Revue belge de Musicologie, 1970), these suites "contain much spirited music and much variety of style. It was natural for Smith to model himself on Handel and the set of suites that had been issued in 1720, but in spite of this it is possible to perceive something of Smith's own musical personality in these suites." Beechey also notes that "it was not customary for composers in England to issue their keyboard suites and lessons with title pages in French, but Smith in this volume and in his second volume is obviously following the title page of Handel's first book of Suites (1720). Smith also gives each suite a French title in the course of both volumes, for example, 'Suite premiere pour le clavecin.'"
These suites date from the period in which Smith, still very young, became directly involved with the production of Handel's operas. According to Barbara Small (Grove Online), "when Handel's health deteriorated in 1737 [the year of publication of these suites], it was Smith who played the harpsichord."
A very scarce copy of these important works by Handel's student, assistant and copyist. The first suite of his keyboard works was published in 1732 and was followed five years later by the present second suite. According to Gwinlym Beechey ("The Keyboard Suites of John Christopher Smith," Revue belge de Musicologie, 1970), these suites "contain much spirited music and much variety of style. It was natural for Smith to model himself on Handel and the set of suites that had been issued in 1720, but in spite of this it is possible to perceive something of Smith's own musical personality in these suites." Beechey also notes that "it was not customary for composers in England to issue their keyboard suites and lessons with title pages in French, but Smith in this volume and in his second volume is obviously following the title page of Handel's first book of Suites (1720). Smith also gives each suite a French title in the course of both volumes, for example, 'Suite premiere pour le clavecin.'"
These suites date from the period in which Smith, still very young, became directly involved with the production of Handel's operas. According to Barbara Small (Grove Online), "when Handel's health deteriorated in 1737 [the year of publication of these suites], it was Smith who played the harpsichord."