Opus Clavicembalisticum

Geoffrey Douglas Madge (piano)

Royal Conservatory Series (Keytone Records): RCS4-800 (4LPs) (September 1983)

Web page for Royal Conservatory Series (Keytone Records)

Cd cover image Opus Clavicembalisticum

Duration: 230:16

Comments: Madge’s Utrecht performance of Opus Clavicembalisticum.

Track listing

  • Track 1-12: Opus Clavicembalisticum (230:16)
  • Track 1: I Introito (2:55)
  • Track 2: II Preludio-Corale (13:51)
  • Track 3: III Fuga I quator vocibus (10:51)
  • Track 4: IV Fantasia (5:35)
  • Track 5: V Fuga II duplex (15:06)
  • Track 6: VI Interludium primum (Thema cum XLIX variationibus) (47:46)
  • Track 7: VII Cadenza I (4:25)
  • Track 8: VIII Fuga tertia triplex (32:23)
  • Track 9: IX Interludium alterum (53:36)
  • Track 10: X Cadenza II (2:49)
  • Track 11: XI Fuga IV quadruplex (33:30)
  • Track 12: XII Coda-Stretta (7:29)

Reviews

  • “Madge’s ability … impressive in the extreme … throughout, there persists a sense of flow … continuity … overall form … this set is a must” (American Record Guide)

  • “… Madge has triumphantly accomplished the impossible … clearly, this is music with a future … the boxed set is rounded out with an illustrated brochure featuring all too brief annotations by Madge and preeminent Sorabjists … this stupendous musical edifice … a very fine representation of OC … overall, (Madge) is extraordinary … a long overdue tribute …” (Fanfare)

  • “… fascinated by this titanic showpiece … Madge’s playing consistently … as purposeful … as Sorabji’s 248-page score … astounding document” (High Fidelity)

  • “… the boxed set is tasteful … sound quality: excellent …” (Journal of the American Liszt Society)

  • “Cette œuvre monumentale …” (Le Devoir, Montéal)

  • “… hard to imagine a more persuasive account … Madge beautifully conveys the subtlety and transcendental beauty of Sorabji’s scoring … in the … many virtuosic sections … seems fully in command … Madge’s adventurousness … the accompanying booklet contains several opulently illustrated essays on the composer, the music and the pianist …” (Ovation)

  • “Any listener has to be dumbfounded at what Geoffrey Douglas Madge has accomplished here …” (Stereo Review)