Mr Tomkins his Lessons of Worthe Bertrand Cuiller

• 1 Chromatic Pavan (Queen Elizabeth's) 06:06
• 2 Chromatic Galliard 02:57
• 3 Offertory 12:07
• 4 Robin Hood 05:15
• 5 Pavan Sir William Petre 05:28
• 6 Galliard Sir William Petre 01:54
• 7 Felix Namque 10:27
• 8 Ut, ré mi, fa, sol, la (for a beginner) 01:03
• 9 In Nomine (Gloria Tibi Trinitas - The First) 03:52
• 10 Ground MB 40 03:54
• 11 Fantasia MB 11 05:00
• Total Runtime 58:03

Info for Mr Tomkins his Lessons of Worthe

Thomas Tomkins may be the least known of the composers recorded here, but we unique insights to the Worcester composer, as his autograph manuscripts have been preserved in his own hand, in particular Re.1122 in the Bibiothèque National in Paris. This recording takes Tomkins advice to a copyist, or ‘lessons of worthe’, and applies it to a recital programme: “placed in their owne native keyes: not mingling or mangling them together wth others of contrary keys: But put in theyr Right places.” The pieces in G are played on a copy by Malcolm Rose of the harpsichord built by Lodewijk Theeuwes in 1579, now in the V & A; those is D are on a claviorgan. This hybrid instrument combines a harpsichord and an organ, both operated from the harpsichord keyboard. Here an Italian harpsichord by Philippe Humeau is coupled with a positive organ by Etienne Fouss. Lastly, the pieces in A are performed on a magnificent invention by the builder Philippe Humeau, a diminutive Italian harpsichord in sequoia with 8’ and 4’ stops.

“Anyone still sceptical about the expressive potential of the harpsichord should be converted by this subtle and gentle survey of great 17th-century pieces...Cuiller is a master of the ebb and flow of harpsichord sound, the sustained resonance and eloquent overlapping of notes” (The Observer)

“This is an ingenious programme, ordered by keys and instruments. All the pieces are selected by Thomas Tomkins's list of 'Lessons of Worthe' - and his endorsement is worthy of respect...A 58-minute disc seems rather parsimonious but, within it, Cuiller displays a remarkable range of colour.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“The wealth of colour is welcome, and Cuiller's masterful playing on the claviorganum makes one wish more harpsichordists would explore the instrument. Cuiller deftly manages the wild timbral contrasts of this hybrid instrument, using it to emphasise and clarify the counterpoint...He also has the imagination and essential command of the virginal idiom to make music that can come alive with an almost folksy directness.” (Gramophone)

Bertrand Cuiller, harpsichord

Bertrand Cuiller
Born in 1978 into a musical family, Bertrand began studying the harpsichord with his mother, Jocelyne, at the age of 8. He studied the instrument for many years following with Pierre Hantaï as well as with Christoph Rousset at the CNSM in Paris. Also interested in the sound of the horn, he learned to play both Baroque and modern horn.

In 1998, at age 19, he won the 3rd prize of the Bruges International Harpsichord Competition. Retained the following year by William Christie, he participated in numerous productions by Les Arts Florissants. As an orchestral musician, he also played with conductors Hevé Niquet, Vincent Dumestre and his father, Daniel Cuiller.

Mostly interested until the present by working in smaller groups, he has developed a great affection for chamber music, an affection which he has nourished with his friends at La Rêveuse as well as with Les Basses Réunis, since his meeting the cellist Bruno Cocset. He also plays in duo with Sophie Gent, Marine Sablonnière and Jana Semeradova.

Deeply interested in instrumental playing, Bertrand Cuiller has devoted himself to the solo repertoire for harpsichord, in particular the English William Byrd and John Bull. He has twice recorded these composers: Alpha, “Pescodd Time”, and Mirare “M. Tomkins his lessons of worthe”. He has also recorded Johann Sebastian Bach’s harpsichord concerti for Mirare with his father Daniel on the violin leading the ensemble Stradivaria, as well as a disk consecrated to Scarlatti and Soler. His recordings have received a very warm reception from both the critics and the public.

Bertrad Cuiller has created several productions with the comedian Louise Moaty. La lanterne magique de Monsieur Couperin; Mille et une Nuits ; as well as "D’Anglebert - Les Lettres Portugaises". His theatrical collaborations have lead him to play with Nicolas Vaude and Nicolas Marié in "le Neveu de Rameau" of Diderot.

Bertrand Cuiller made his first sortie as a conductor in the winter of 2012-2013, conducting Alain Buet's Ensemble and Choir of Les Musiciens du Paradis from the harpsichord, in a production of the opera Venus and Adonis by John Blow, with soloists Céline Scheen and Marc Mauillon. This production of the Théâtre de Caen, staged by Louise Moaty, with performances at the Opéra de Lille, the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, MC2 Grenoble, Paris – Opéra Comique, Opéras d’Angers et Nantes, gave him the desire to conduct again.

Booklet for Mr Tomkins his Lessons of Worthe