Programme

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

Sonata B minor K. 87 / Sonata A major K. 322 /

Sonata F minor K. 466 / Sonata D major K. 491

John Dowland (1563-1626) / (William Byrd (1540-1623)

Pavana Lachrymae

François Couperin (1668-1733)

Les Barricades Mystérieuses / La Couperin /

Passacaille / Les Ombres Errantes

George Frideric Handel(1685-1759) 

Suite no. 7 in G minor

I. Overture; II. Andante; III. Allegro; IV. Sarabande; V. Gigue; VI. Passacaille

Performer

Piano: Francis Camilleri 

Programme Notes 

This concert is a journey through European Baroque music: from the stately sonatas of Scarlatti and idiomatic keyboard pieces of Couperin to the robustness of Handel with his dramatic Suite in G minor. Byrd’s sombre yet beautiful Pavana Lachrymae completes the programme.

Scarlatti

Sonata B minor K. 87 / Sonata A major K. 322 / Sonata F minor K. 466 Sonata D major K. 491

Scarlatti could be considered as the prime mover in the creation of the sonata genre. His one-movement sonatas led the path to the development of the classical sonata which then culminated with Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas. The four sonatas played this afternoon are contrasting in mood and style: from the sombre B minor and F minor sonatas to the sprightly A major and D major sonatas.

Dowland/Byrd

Pavana Lachrymae

Byrd’s arrangement of John Dowland’s evocative Pavana Lachrymae, originally for solo lute, is arguably the finest arrangement for keyboard of this beautiful work. Rather than setting it in the original key of A minor, Byrd transposed the work up into D minor, a more singable part of the instrument.

Couperin

Les Ombres Errantes / Les Barricades Mystérieuses / La Couperin / Passacaille

Couperin’s keyboard works often have an evocative title which give the performer and the listener a pictorial idea of the work. They could be regarded as miniature tone poems and the four pieces in this programme are emblematic of the French Baroque style.

Handel

Suite no. 7 in G minor

I. Overture; II. Andante; III. Allegro; IV. Sarabande; V. Gigue; VI. Passacaille

Handel’s cycle of Suites for keyboard stands alongside Bach’s two sets of Suites as a magna opus of the Baroque instrumental dance form. Handel’s Suite in G minor is arguably his most dramatic with an introductory Ouverture, a unique movement among the cycle, that sets the tone to what follows.

Biography

Francis Camilleri formally commenced his pianoforte studies with Lucia Micallef and continued his tuition with Karen Briscoe, obtaining his Licentiate from the Royal Schools of Music with distinction. He also took regular lessons with Vanessa Latarche at the Royal College of Music, London. Francis graduated from the University of Malta under the tuition of Michael Laus, and has participated in master classes led by John Lill, Mikhail Pethukov, and Young-Choon Park, amongst others. Francis was coached in harmony and counterpoint by Joseph Vella, Malta’s leading composer. He has performed in the most important venues in Malta and in prestigious festivals with recent performances including the Grieg Piano Concerto during the opening concert of the Victoria International Arts Festival, Bach Concertos at the Teatru Manoel as part of the Valletta Baroque Festival, and Brahms’ Horn Trio with Laura Marzadori, leader of the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra, also at the Teatru Manoel. Francis has also recently worked as a répétiteur, collaborating with renowned artists such as Gregory Kunde, Barbara Frittoli, Miriam Gauci and Gianluca Terranova, amongst others. Upcoming concerts include a Schubert recital in Valletta. Francis is a member of the Laudate Pueri Choir and the Victoria International Arts Festival.