Inspired by Bach’s famous Memorandum of 1730 – Bach’s personal ‘wish list’ for ideal performances – here are 40 of Sempé’s selected writings, on a wide range of topics, from Renaissance virtuosity to the fine art of instrument building, along with a collection of his groundbreaking recordings, brought together on 5 CDs from the DHM, Astrée, Alpha and Paradizo catalogues. It marks the 25th Anniversary of the Capriccio Stravagante and includes eg the Chambonnières, Bach, Buxtehude recordings on DHM and tracks not available elsewhere.

This CD-book gives us a consecutive series of glimpses of a rich career that is still evolving: musically, intellectually and aesthetically. These essays by and interviews with Skip Sempé have appeared over two decades in a number of different formats – programme notes, press interviews, liner notes for recordings – but gain in impact when published altogether for the first time. Wanda Landowska began this tradition with her Musique Ancienne in 1909, followed by Harnoncourt’s testimonies of the 1980s. However, with its set of 5 CDs from throughout the years, with recordings made since 1990, this sumptuous publication combines both moments of research and sounding music. This makes it absolutely unique.

'Memorandum XXI' is a passionate communication for the next generation. Written by one of the last pioneers of the early music movement, it attempts to provide recovery of both a musical aesthetic and an artistic mission that are being lost only too quickly.

388p CD-book [Eng, Fr], 5 CDs, 45 composers, 100 works

Recordings 1990 > 2011