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Brilliant Classics

Gravier: Six Sonates pour le Clavecin

$12.99

Details

Composer
Jean-Baptiste Gravier
Artist
Fernando De Luca
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Mar 20, 2026
Catalog #
BRI97562
UPC
5063758975629

About

Jean-Baptiste Gravier, known as l'abbé Gravier, was a French Catholic priest, composer and organist. Born on 21 April 1723 in Lombez, he died on 22 November 1799 in Saintes. He lived and worked throughout his life in the Occitan region. From the few biographical notes available, we know that Gravier perfected his studies in Toulouse with the organist Jean-Charles Desforats (1690-1762) and was employed in various locations from 1741 to 1790 as organist in Auch, Bordeaux and Saintes. The brief interlude he spent in Paris in 1759 must have been important for his artistic career. The Six Sonates pour le Clavecin (1759) by Abbé Jean-Baptiste Gravier are among his most remarkable works and demonstrate his talent for the harpsichord. The sonatas are composed of several movements, typically three or four, alternating between fast and slow tempos. They show an openness to Italian music, with clear melodic lines and rich harmonies. Gravier was able to incorporate elements of virtuosity and personal expression into his compositions, making them both technically demanding and emotionally captivating. This is another enterprising recording by Fernando de Luca, who has done a great deal to revive forgotten names from 18th-century music with complete surveys of their music on Brilliant Classics, among them Dufour, Foucquet, Jollage and Siret. '[De Luca] thinks outside of the box, and he clearly is a man with discerning tastes. These extend to his playing, which is clear-headed and disciplined, but never rigid. "Charm" is such an overused word, but I cannot think of a better one to describe this music and these performances.' (Fanfare on the Jollage album, January 2024). Fernando de Luca plays a French harpsichord after Blanchet (1754).

Tracklist 14 tracks

  1. 1 I. Adagio cantabile 05:51
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Adagio cantabile
    Duration
    05:51
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  2. 2 II. Andantino 03:14
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andantino
    Duration
    03:14
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  3. 3 III. Tambourins I-II 03:43
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Tambourins I-II
    Duration
    03:43
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  4. 4 I. Spiritoso 06:02
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Spiritoso
    Duration
    06:02
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  5. 5 II. Plainte (Grave, amoroso) 04:48
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Plainte (Grave, amoroso)
    Duration
    04:48
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  6. 6 I. Allegro ma poco 03:40
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Allegro ma poco
    Duration
    03:40
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  7. 7 II. Minuetto 1er and 2e: Andante 03:43
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Minuetto 1er and 2e: Andante
    Duration
    03:43
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  8. 8 I. Allegro 03:30
    Track
    8
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    03:30
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  9. 9 II. Air 1er and 2e: Affectuoso 09:57
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Air 1er and 2e: Affectuoso
    Duration
    09:57
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  10. 10 I. Moderato 06:13
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    06:13
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  11. 11 II. Chasse: Allegro assai 03:09
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Chasse: Allegro assai
    Duration
    03:09
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  12. 12 I. Capricio: Allegro 04:31
    Track
    12
    Title
    I. Capricio: Allegro
    Duration
    04:31
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  13. 13 II. Aria: Andante gratioso 03:17
    Track
    13
    Title
    II. Aria: Andante gratioso
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca
  14. 14 III. Giga: Presto 05:13
    Track
    14
    Title
    III. Giga: Presto
    Duration
    05:13
    Composer
    Jean Baptiste Bréval
    Performer
    Fernando de Luca