Sweelinck JP Complete Keyboard Works Volume 3

With Volume 3 of Sweelinck’s complete works for keyboard instruments, "Chorale and Psalm Variations," editor Harald Vogel presents a group of works that can enhance many of today’s religious services. Vogel’s approach to the fundamental issues of performance practice in this edition is exceptionally knowledgeable. He begins by supplying a "practical source edition" of the works, in which he attempts to respect the unique aspects of the notation as much as possible. Moreover, in the appendix he provides the text and origin of all the chorale melodies on which the pieces are based. The second advantage of this new edition is Vogel’s comprehensive essay on "Sweelinck’s Organs and the Sources for Registration," which provides the current state of Sweelinck scholarship on this problematic area and brings to light a previously unknown source. The organs that play a role in this context are described in detail. From his source studies, Vogel draws the essential conclusion that performance practice should make less use of the tutti and more of "registrations with few stops" and "a great variety of tone colors."