PH. H. Erlebach, J. C. F. Fischer, J. S. Kusser, J. Fischer: Ouvertures & Suites Altberg Ensemble & Jörg-Andreas Bötticher

• Philipp Heinrich Erlebach (1657 - 1714): Ouverture VI in G minor:
• 1 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Ouverture 03:12
• 2 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Entrée 01:25
• 3 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Gavotte 00:46
• 4 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Menuet alternativement avec le Trio 01:49
• 5 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: La Plainte - Lentement 03:36
• 6 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Entrée 01:05
• 7 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Gigue 01:10
• 8 Erlebach: Ouverture VI in G minor: Chaccone 02:07
• Johann Sigismund Kusser (1660 - 1727): Ouverture II in B flat major:
• 9 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Ouverture 02:47
• 10 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Premier Air. Viste 01:16
• 11 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Second Air. Eccho 00:55
• 12 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Troisième Air. Menuet 00:40
• 13 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Quatrième Air. Gique à l’Angloise 01:05
• 14 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Cinquième Air. Courante 01:14
• 15 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Sixième Air. Menuet 00:53
• 16 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Septième Air. Sarabande 01:45
• 17 Kusser: Ouverture II in B flat major: Chaconne à 2. Dessus 02:30
• Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer (1656 - 1746): Les Pièces de Clavessin:
• 18 Fischer: Les Pièces de Clavessin: Praeludium I in D minor 01:06
• Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor:
• 19 Fischer: Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor: Ouverture 03:40
• 20 Fischer: Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor: Entree 01:24
• 21 Fischer: Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor: Rondeau 01:45
• 22 Fischer: Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor: Gavotte 00:39
• 23 Fischer: Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor: Menuet 01:01
• 24 Fischer: Le Journal du Printemps, op. 1, Ouverture IV in D minor: Passacaille 03:24
• Les Pièces de Clavessin:
• 25 Fischer: Les Pièces de Clavessin: Praeludium VIII in G major 02:30
• Johann Fischer (1646 - 1716): Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major:
• 26 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major: Ouverture 03:31
• 27 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major: Entrée 01:32
• 28 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major: Menuet et Rondeau 02:32
• 29 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major: Chaconne 02:23
• 30 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust- Suite in C major: Pollnische Dänze 03:55
• 31 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major: Air 02:19
• 32 Fischer: Musicalische Fürsten-Lust - Suite in C major: Gigue - Air des Paysans 00:56
• Total Runtime 01:00:52

Info for PH. H. Erlebach, J. C. F. Fischer, J. S. Kusser, J. Fischer: Ouvertures & Suites

The Altberg Ensemble, under the direction of the eminent harpsichordist and conductor Jörg-Andreas Bötticher, has recorded spectacular orchestral suites by Ph. H. Erlebach, J. S. Kusser, Johann and Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer. who were greatly influenced by the hegemon of 17th century French music, the Florentine (sic!) Jean-Bapitsite Lully.

In recent projects, the Altberg Ensemble has searched for Polish elements in compositions by Frenchmen and Germans. This time will be no different; among the French-style pieces by the little-known Johann Fischer - a copyist of Lully himself and then active at the court of the Kurland Prince Frederick Casimir - we will hear Pollnische Dänze exist a veritable suite of Polish dances.

What did they all have in common, these infrequently performed composers? A love of the French style, which was highly regarded in late 17th and early 18th century Europe.

Johann Fischer, educated in Stuttgart, was one of Lully's copyists in Paris between 1665 and 1670. He was then active at the court of the Duke of Courland, Frederick-Kazimierz, and eventually made his way to the Commonwealth. Hence, his suite will include Polish dances among the French-style pieces.

To this day, it is uncertain whether the second Fischer, Johann Caspar Ferdinand, visited Paris, but his collections Journal Du Printemps and Musicalisches Blumenbüschlein were, along with the works of G. Muffat and J. S. Kusser, the first written in the French style in German music. The first edition of Musicalisches Blumenbüschlein is in the collection of Ph. Spitty, held in the University of Lodz Library! A native of Hungary, J. S. Kusser, studied for 6 years with Lully in Paris, where he was known as Cousser. He promoted the French style in Hamburg, Augsburg, Nuremberg, London and Dublin.

Interwoven into the programme are harpsichord preludes by J. C. F. Fischer, introducing the tonality of the various orchestral suites.

Thus, the Overtures - French-style orchestral suites from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, and among them the magnificent Polonica!

Altberg Ensemble
Jörg-Andreas Bötticher, direction, harpsichord

Altberg Ensemble
is a baroque orchestra founded in 2017 by cellist Jakub Kościukiewicz. The first recording of Altberg Ensemble with compositions of Georg Philipp Telemann, Suites & Concerto, DUX1761, recorded under direction of Peter Heyghen, was nominated to Fryderyk 2023 award in category Early Music – Album of the Year and in autumn 2023 it received a Golden Diploma in 3rd Eagles of Music International Competition.

Since 2018 Altberg Ensemble has regularly co-operated with outstanding Swiss harpsichordist, organist and conductor Jörg-Andreas Bötticher, who has led the ensemble on numerous occasions during concert series 200 Bach’s Cantatas for 200 Years of Warsaw University as well as in Altberg’s series – Baroque Łódź and Baroque Mirages in the Museum of the City of Lodz and Herbst Palace Museum.

The ensemble has co-operated with legendary personalities from historically informed performance scene – violinist Olivia Centurioni, oboist Alfredo Bernardino and recorder player, musicologist and conductor Peter van Heyghen.

Altberg Ensemble has performed in Artur Rubinstein Philharmonic in Łódź and during festivals such as Dramma per Musica in Royal Castle in Warsaw, Kolory Polski in Tum and Gidle, Jerzy Waldorff Festival in Radziejowice, ORGANy PLUS in Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz Baroque Scene, Baroque in Masuria, Concerts for Peace in Jawor. In August 2022 Altberg Ensemble arranged and prepared the programme composed of forgotten 18th century manuscripts, from Dominican order convent in Gidle, as part of Kolory Polski Festival.

The ensemble is a regular guest of Artists Retreat in Radziejowice Palace, where it prepares the most of its musical projects.

Altberg Ensemble plays historical instruments, using period performance practice.

The name of the ensemble was inspired by the figure of Emma Altberg (1889-1983), a harpsichord player, devoted to promoting musical life and education in Łódź.

Booklet for PH. H. Erlebach, J. C. F. Fischer, J. S. Kusser, J. Fischer: Ouvertures & Suites