Name: Concerning Dynamics and the Harpsichord. @johnmoraitis
Uploaded: 2026-09-22T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Concerning Dynamics and the Harpsichord.

Concerning Dynamics and the Harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2026-09-22 | Concerning Dynamics and the Harpsichord.

Buxtehude: Suite in g minor, BuxWV 242. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-05-10 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:18 Allemande
6:18 Courante
7:52 Sarabande
9:17 Gigue
10:48 Patreon information

Dietrich Buxtehude, Suite in g minor, BuxWV 242:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Gigue

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

The challenges of editing Geoffroy’s Pièces de clavecin.

John Moraitis 2023-04-27 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:26 The original manuscript
4:37 The transposed suites
6:13 Demonstration: Minuet in f minor and g minor
11:17 Peculiarities in notation
12:59 Demonstration: Chaconne in g minor
17:59 Copying and editing the music
20:02 Demonstration: Chaconne in f minor and g minor
28:40 The editions by Mary Tilton and Jacques Frisch
31:12 The edition by Pierre Gouin
33:06 “Modern” key signatures
34:26 Ordering of pieces
37:01 A stylistic discrepancy
38:33 Omission of transposed suites
41:43 Concluding remarks
45:25 Patreon information

Links:
Suite in f minor: youtube.com/watch?v=6zaMYWq_jts
Chaconne in g minor: youtube.com/watch?v=9Xd476TEkhg
Suite in b minor: youtube.com/watch?v=UZtCl4ybkTM

Geoffroy: Suite in d minor – Sarabande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-04-10 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:22 Performance
4:46 Patreon information

Geoffroy, Sarabande in c minor: youtube.com/watch?v=f9g9tTUFKJE

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in d minor – Sarabande.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

dAnglebert: Suite in g minor (complete performance). John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-03-23 | Since I posted two separate videos discussing d'Anglebert's Suite in g minor, I thought I would also post a video of the complete performance without any spoken introduction, so that you can listen to and experience the entire Suite without interruptions. Like the two previous videos, the score accompanying the performance is the first edition published in Paris in 1689. I will include links to the two previous videos below if you want to revisit my spoken introductions to the pieces.

Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Order of movements
0:16 Prélude
2:24 Allemande
5:53 Courante I
7:36 Courante II
9:43 Sarabande
12:53 Gigue
15:36 Gaillarde
19:34 Passacaille
27:19 Patreon information

Links:
d'Anglebert Suite in g minor part 1: youtube.com/watch?v=ye2_bs-F9f8
d'Anglebert Suite in g minor part 2: youtube.com/watch?v=e4bSoGMhMVs

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

dAnglebert: Suite in g minor, part 2. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-03-18 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction; the issue of dynamics
1:26 Creating dynamics on a harpsichord
4:59 The Sarabande
7:07 The Gigue
11:00 Performing the Gaillarde
13:34 Dynamics in the Gaillarde
15:48 The French Passacaille
19:18 d'Anglebert's Passacaille
28:14 Order of movements
28:27 Sarabande
31:40 Gigue
34:24 Gaillarde
38:22 Passacaille
46:08 Patreon information

Links:
Part 1 of the suite: youtube.com/watch?v=ye2_bs-F9f8
Concerning dynamics and the harpsichord: youtube.com/watch?v=4o2IRyXi-aY
Two Italians in Paris: youtube.com/watch?v=_x8qIzLcY_c

Jean-Henry d'Anglebert, Suite No. 2 in g minor, part 2:
V. Sarabande
VI. Gigue
VII. Gaillarde
VIII. Passacaille

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

dAnglebert: Suite in g minor, part 1. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-02-26 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:37 d'Anglebert's Pièces de clavecin
3:11 Unmeasured preludes
4:25 Comparing different notational conventions
8:14 Performance suggestions
9:33 The Prelude
14:38 The Allemande
17:32 The opening bass line of the Courantes
19:31 Melodic trajectory in the Courantes
21:02 Order of presentation
21:56 Prélude (manuscript score)
24:32 Prélude (published score)
26:43 Allemande
30:12 Courante I
31:55 Courante II
34:03 Patreon information

Jean-Henry d'Anglebert, Suite in g minor, part 1:
I. Prélude
II. Allemande
III. Courante I
IV. Courante II

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in F major – Sarabande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-02-15 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:18 Performance
5:07 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in F major – Sarabande.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Suite in d minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-01-30 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Assembling a suite
1:31 Choosing a prelude
4:28 The Allemande
6:32 The two Courantes
9:42 Tempo in the Courantes
11:53 The Sarabande
11:42 The Chaconne
19:05 The Canaries
19:43 The score
20:25 Order of movements
20:40 Prélude [Anonymous]
24:23 Allemande
28:05 Courante I
29:35 Courante II
31:26 Sarabande
34:12 Canaries
35:31 Chaconne
38:25 Patreon information

Link to the video of the anonymous Prelude: youtube.com/watch?v=7wKG_TgFqxU

Louis Couperin: Suite in d minor
I. Prélude [Anonymous]
II. Allemande
III. Courante I
IV. Courante II
V. Sarabande
VI. Canaries
VII. Chaconne

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Chambonnières: Two Courantes in d minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2023-01-17 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Courante I
2:42 Courante II
4:38 Patreon information

Jacques Champion de Chambonnières: Two Courantes in d minor (from Pièces de Clavessin, Livre II).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Rabat Joye Charmant & Détachement de la Grande Pièce de Joye. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-12-23 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:24 Brief overview of Geoffroy's works
1:20 The titles in more detail
3:34 Which instrument?
5:12 Tonality & purpose
6:10 Geoffroy's harmonic language
8:15 Rabat Joye Charmant: form and texture
9:43 Ambiguous tonality
11:22 Extended chords
13:48 A unique soundworld
15:16 Détachement...: form & texture
16:05 Interpreting a chordal section
17:52 Omitting repeats
19:45 The final section
21:07 Rabat Joye Charmant
23:44 Détachement de la Grande Pièce de Joye
28:25 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Rabat Joye Charmant; Détachement de la Grande Pièce de Joye.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Grégoire Jeay: Prélude for Purcells Chaconne in G. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-12-10 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:50 Performance
6:08 Patreon information

Grégoire Jeay, Suite in g minor: youtube.com/watch?v=uHOFhrpKyO0

Grégoire Jeay: Prélude for Purcell's Chaconne in G (2014).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Tomkins: Fortune My Foe. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-11-25 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:20 Form & structure
4:55 Choice of instrument
8:23 Ornaments
10:37 Trills
14:09 Ornaments in Fortune My Foe
17:09 Choice of tempo
19:16 Historical fingerings
22:40 Approaching scalar passages
25:16 Performance
36:03 Patreon information

Thomas Tomkins: Fortune My Foe (July 4, 1654).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Exploring an anonymous unmeasured prelude: interpretation and performance.

John Moraitis 2022-10-17 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:18 Performance
6:06 Form
6:49 Studying unmeasured preludes
7:51 The opening gesture
8:38 Port de voix and written-out ornaments
11:10 Lines 1-2
14:30 Lines 2-3
17:42 Lines 3-4
19:37 Line 5
21:36 Approaching the measured section
22:53 Returning to the unmeasured section
25:30 The final chords
29:24 Epilogue: consulting the original source
32:53 Performance
36:42 Patreon information

Prélude in d minor (from the Parville manuscript).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Allemande in d minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-10-01 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:01 Performance
6:48 Patreon information

Louis Couperin: Allemande [36] in d minor (the number in brackets indicates the numbering of Louis Couperin's works in Davitt Moroney's edition published by L'Oiseau Lyre).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

A Gaillarde by dAnglebert that doubles as a Sarabande.

John Moraitis 2022-09-17 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Origins of the project
3:21 The "d'Anglebert" manuscript and a surprise
5:02 The title of the piece in Bauyn
6:27 Differences between the two versions
7:59 Ornamentation and embellishments
9:00 My embellishments vs d'Anglebert's embellishments
10:08 Notes inégales
12:17 Performing ornaments in the "d'Anglebert" version
15:01 Sarabande grave en forme de gaillarde
18:32 Gaillarde et Double
25:05 Patreon information

My previous recording of the Sarabande grave en forme de gaillarde:
youtube.com/watch?v=LrcN3eWpvqI

Jean-Henry d'Anglebert:
Sarabande grave en forme de gaillarde (Bauyn manuscript).
Gaillarde et Double (Anonymous manuscript, Paris, B.N. Res. 89ter).

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken. Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz.

W. F. Bachs Polonaise in e minor and 18th-century Romanticism.

John Moraitis 2022-08-27 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 First performance (video)
5:31 Modern reception of Pre-classical composers
7:25 Challenging modern viewpoints
9:17 Reception of W. F. Bach's music
10:30 The empfindsamer Stil and its influence
13:53 The Polonaise in e minor
15:04 Demonstration
21:09 Interpreting dynamic markings
24:31 Second performance (audio with score)
29:03 Patreon information

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach: Polonaise No. 8 in e minor (from 12 Polonaises, F. 12).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken. Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz.

dAnglebert: Sarabande en forme de gaillarde. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-08-16 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Performance
4:46 Patreon information

Jean-Henry d'Anglebert: Sarabande en forme de gaillarde in C major.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Grégoire Jeay: Suite in g minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-07-30 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Musical style
1:28 Three features
4:05 Rhythmic flexibility: the "traditional" view
5:37 Rhythmic flexibility in historical sources & early recordings
7:38 My approach to rhythmic flexibility
8:28 Demonstration
17:01 Order of movements
17:15 Allemande
23:06 Courante
27:21 Sarabande
31:36 Patreon information

Recording of Jeay's The Phantom of Goldberg: youtube.com/watch?v=rl1LkCLb82c

Grégoire Jeay, Suite in g minor:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Sarabande and Chaconne in d minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-07-16 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:24 Sarabande in d minor
5:09 Chaconne in d minor
7:59 Patreon information

Louis Couperin: Sarabande [51] and Chaconne [55] in d minor (the numbers in brackets denote the numbering of Louis Couperin's works in Davitt Moroney's edition published by L'Oiseau Lyre).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperins Pavanne in f sharp minor and temperament as a means of expression.

John Moraitis 2022-06-27 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Reasons for making this video
1:55 "Reinterpreting" gestures
6:25 Contextualizing Couperin's Pavanne
7:32 F sharp minor in French lute repertory
9:53 Two 18th-century descriptions of F sharp minor
11:23 F sharp minor in quarter-comma meantone
17:27 A Bach prelude in f sharp minor
20:16 Harmonic planning in the Pavanne
26:38 Conclusion
29:18 Performance in quarter-comma meantone
37:28 Performance in Rameau temperament
45:28 Patreon information

Links:

First recording of the Pavanne: youtube.com/watch?v=m-w6LbsqoaQ

Second recording of the Pavanne: youtube.com/watch?v=e1EtxSMJPeU

Quarter-comma meantone characteristics: youtube.com/watch?v=e1EtxSMJPeU

Recording of St. Luc's Tombeau in f sharp minor: youtube.com/watch?v=e1EtxSMJPeU

Recording of Froberger's Lamentation in f minor: youtube.com/watch?v=e1EtxSMJPeU

Louis Couperin: Pavanne in f sharp minor (two performances).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperaments: quarter-comma meantone (first performance); Rameau (second performance).
A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in d minor – Allemande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-06-14 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:23 Listening strategy
4:37 Performance
8:19 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in d minor – Allemande.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Froberger: Lamentation in f minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-05-30 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:11 Form
2:05 Choosing a temperament
3:20 A look at the score
4:10 "Lentement avec discrétion"
6:05 Choosing a tempo
7:54 "Avec discrétion" & rhythmic freedom
9:23 Studying the piece
12:17 Demonstration
16:44 Observing the repeats
18:12 The final gesture
21:16 Title
21:34 Performance
29:06 Patreon information

Johann Jakob Froberger: Lamentation faite sur la mort très douloureuse de Sa Majesté Impériale Ferdinand le troisième et se jouë lentement avec discrétion.

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Jean-Henry dAnglebert: Suite II in g minor – Prélude (new recording). John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-05-14 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

0:00 Introduction
2:11 Performance
4:12 Patreon information

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Links to my previous performances of this prelude:
youtube.com/watch?v=WKsfATz47Do (on the harpsichord)
youtube.com/watch?v=XZmU07ZDOBs (on the spinet, in quarter-comma meantone)

Geoffroy: Suite in b minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-04-30 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 The B minor version
4:04 Chromatic alterations in the Allemande
8:36 Harmonic discrepancy in m. 19
10:52 Harmonic twists in the Sarabande
16:13 Three prominent features in the Chaconne
18:04 Descending bass lines
20:57 Pedal point
23:20 Seventh and ninth chords
26:20 The score of the Chaconne
27:25 Order of movements
27:38 Allemande
31:17 Courante
33:04 Sarabande
35:31 Menuet
36:11 Gavotte
37:02 Chaconne
40:59 Patreon information

Link: Geoffroy, Suite in f minor: youtube.com/watch?v=6zaMYWq_jts

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in b minor:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Menuet
V. Gavotte
VI. Chaconne

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in b minor – Sarabande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-04-09 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:23 Two harmonic surprises
4:30 Performance
7:05 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in b minor – Sarabande.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Exploring Temperaments, Part 2: Listening Strategies and Demonstration.

John Moraitis 2022-03-31 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Exploring temperaments for the first time
3:16 How to listen for differences
4:38 A quick recap
5:10 Equal temperament
8:17 Quarter-comma meantone
12:41 Rameau temperament
13:12 Order of listening examples
13:50 Major third
14:29 Major third vs diminished fourth
15:22 Perfect fifth
15:56 A major triad
16:22 Perfect fifth vs "wolf" fifth
17:32 A-flat major triad
18:26 F minor triad
19:45 Chromatic scale
21:19 Bach Prelude in C, Introduction
23:51 Bach Prelude in C, measures 11-14
27:30 Bach Prelude in C, measures 21-23
30:53 Bach Allemande from 2nd French Suite
33:43 Looking ahead
34:00 Patreon info

Links:

Exploring Temperaments, Part 1: youtube.com/watch?v=X0qtKpsNsIs

Bach, Prelude in C major, performed in three different temperaments: youtube.com/watch?v=kRui9apjWAY

Spinet: Neupert "Zenti" (Bamberg, 2008). A=415 Hz

Grégoire Jeay: The Phantom of Goldberg. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-03-05 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:37 Stylistic features
3:34 Opening gesture
5:38 First section
7:37 Transition and second section
10:26 Third section
12:25 Fourth section and conclusion
16:51 Temperament as a means of expression
26:33 Performance
31:55 Patreon information

Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Exploring Temperaments, Part 1.

John Moraitis 2022-02-11 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:33 Why we need temperaments
8:35 Quarter-comma meantone vs equal temperament
13:11 Other types of temperaments
15:40 Enharmonic notes (or a lack thereof)
18:17 Implications for performance
19:11 Enharmonics and keyboard instruments
21:45 Conclusion
22:41 Patreon information

Links:

Bach, Prelude in C major, BWV 846, performed in three different temperaments: youtube.com/watch?v=kRui9apjWAY

Bach, Prelude in f minor, BWV 881, performed in three different temperaments: youtube.com/watch?v=vg4CPd050lI

Louis Couperin, Tombeau de Mr. de Blancrocher (includes a demonstration of quarter-comma meantone used as a means of expression): youtube.com/watch?v=5Rglt26-aVI

Spinet: Neupert "Zenti" (Bamberg, 2008). A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Sarabande in C major. John Moraitis, spinet.

John Moraitis 2022-01-27 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:02 Temperament & tuning
3:09 Tuning for the 2nd performance
6:12 1st performance
8:30 2nd performance
10:48 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Sarabande in C major.
1st performance: quarter-comma meantone.
2nd performance: quarter-comma meantone, with middle C tuned as a B sharp.

John Moraitis, spinet.
Spinet: Neupert "Zenti" (Bamberg, 2008). A=415 Hz

Nathan Mondry: Suite in d minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2022-01-11 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Musical style
4:30 Reading the score
7:34 Composer's intent
11:00 Recording the Gigue
15:21 Order of movements
15:34 Allemande
19:26 Courante
21:32 Sarabande
24:22 Gigue
27:34 Patreon information

Links:

Les Barocudas Youtube channel:
youtube.com/channel/UCfjq0w_ckY-izMqPwJnD1Bw/featured

Nathan Mondry performing the Courante from the Suite in d minor:
youtube.com/watch?v=0-_jZXgbk8U

Nathan Mondry: Suite in d minor:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Gigue

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Sarabande [87] in G major. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-12-24 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

0:00 Introduction
1:21 Performance
4:10 Patreon information

Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in e minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-12-11 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:04 Allemande: chromatic alterations
8:34 A distinctive rhythmic gesture
11:26 A soaring melody
14:49 Sarabande: a chromatic descent
16:32 The soaring melody in the Sarabande
18:47 Chaconne: form
19:37 The bass line of the refrain
20:57 Seventh chords in the refrain
22:15 A delicious ninth chord in the 4th couplet
23:19 The last couplet
26:36 Order of movements
26:51 Allemande
29:35 Courante
31:08 Sarabande
33:44 Gavotte
34:38 Menuet
35:37 Gigue
38:10 Chaconne
40:01 Patreon information

Link to my performance of the Suite in c minor by Geoffroy: youtube.com/watch?v=3iR2Cs1BYX8

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in e minor:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Gavotte
V. Menuet
VI. Gigue
VII. Chaconne

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in b minor – Chaconne. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-11-28 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:36 Features
2:26 Demonstration: pedal points
3:36 Descending bass lines
4:48 Extended chords
7:01 Performance
10:54 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in b minor – Chaconne.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

François Dufaut: Pavane in e minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-11-11 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:48 Biographical information
2:01 Source, structure, and harmonic plan
4:00 Similarities between the lute and the harpsichord
4:59 Arpeggiating chords
6:19 Examples of arpeggiation from d'Anglebert's table of ornaments
9:16 Relating arpeggiations to the beat
11:05 Dislocation
12:55 Enriching the harmony
14:17 Trills and other ornaments
15:12 Demonstration: introductory remarks
17:50 Demonstration: arpeggiations
20:30 Demonstration: dislocations
22:34 Demonstration: trills
24:15 The edition
24:54 Performance
33:26 Patreon information

Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

In memoriam Titos Perantatos.

Geoffroy: Suite in b minor – Allemande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-10-26 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:41 Performance
4:22 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in b minor – Allemande.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Froberger: Suite IX in g minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-10-11 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 The Libro Quarto
2:30 Interpreting the Allemande
6:14 A "binary Gigue"
8:38 Demonstration of binary vs ternary
10:16 Similarities with a Gigue by Biber
11:30 Concluding the Sarabande
15:35 Movement information
15:50 Allemande
19:36 Gigue
21:23 Courante
23:00 Sarabande
25:34 Appendix: Sarabande (alternate ending)
27:59 Patreon information

Johann Jakob Froberger: Suite IX in g minor (from Libro Quarto, 1656):
I. Allemande
II. Gigue
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Links:

My discussion and performance of Froberger's Suite XVIII in g minor: youtube.com/watch?v=TcLpVArfQbk

Amy Zanrosso's article "The Baffling Binary Gigue" can be read here: http://www.scena.org/lsm/sm7-5/students-en.html

Geoffroy: Suite in e minor – Sarabande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-09-26 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Performance
3:51 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in e minor – Sarabande.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Rameau: Les Tendres Plaintes – Interpretation and Performance.

John Moraitis 2021-09-09 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 First performance
5:41 Rameau's Pièces de clavecin & Premier Livre
7:55 Dividing the leaps between both hands
11:25 Demonstration
14:12 Playing the refrain
15:03 An introduction to the tremblement lié
17:14 Difference from a regular trill
18:53 Principal note on or after the beat?
21:20 A crucial expressive difference
24:32 Second performance
27:59 Patreon information

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Les Tendres Plaintes (from Pièces de clavecin).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Froberger: Suite IX in g minor – Sarabande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-08-23 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:52 Performance
3:14 Patreon information

Johann Jakob Froberger: Suite IX in g minor – Sarabande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in f minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-08-07 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Project origins
3:14 Chaconne: formal structure
3:41 Refrain: analysis
9:48 First couplet
12:39 Last couplet
14:31 Comparing the two versions
16:10 Choice(s) of temperament
20:47 Recording and accompanying score
22:33 Order of movements
22:50 Allemande
26:23 Courante
28:07 Sarabande
31:12 Gavotte
32:01 Menuet
32:43 Rondeau
33:39 Gigue
36:00 Chaconne
40:34 Patreon information

Links:
Chaconne in g minor: youtube.com/watch?v=9Xd476TEkhg
Allemande & Courante in f minor: youtube.com/watch?v=ENCaXfMtG4o
Sarabande & Gigue in f minor: youtube.com/watch?v=aMeC9nYlC7o

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in f minor:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Gavotte
V. Menuet
VI. Rondeau
VII. Gigue
VIII. Chaconne

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Froberger: Suite IX in g minor – Allemande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-07-20 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:57 Performance
4:41 Patreon information

Johann Jakob Froberger: Suite IX in g minor – Allemande. John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Suite in c minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-07-05 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:36 Ordering of Louis Couperin's pieces
3:12 Choosing a temperament
8:35 Dynamic changes in the Gigue
13:17 Use of the short octave in the Gigue
18:15 The score accompanying the recording
19:33 Performance
19:50 Prélude
21:06 Allemande La Précieuse
24:12 Courante
26:06 Sarabande
28:40 Gigue
30:52 Chaconne La Bergeronnette
33:53 Patreon information

Links:

Louis Couperin, Prelude in c minor (with a discussion of the Bauyn and Parville manuscripts):
youtube.com/watch?v=V6ryRwqt2gs

Louis Couperin, Tombeau de Mr. de Blancrocher: youtube.com/watch?v=5Rglt26-aVI

Louis Couperin, Pavanne in f-sharp minor (performed in quarter-comma meantone temperament): youtube.com/watch?v=e1EtxSMJPeU

Louis Couperin: Suite in c minor:
I. Prélude
II. Allemande La Précieuse
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Gigue
VI. Chaconne La Bergeronnette

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Sarabande in c minor. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-06-17 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Performance
3:28 Patreon info

Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Louis Couperin: Prelude in c minor – Interpretation and Performance.

John Moraitis 2021-06-02 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:54 Performance (video)
2:17 Reasons for choosing this prelude
2:41 The two sources for Louis Couperin's music
3:34 Three modern editions
5:24 A salient discrepancy between the editions
10:12 Method and purpose of the presentation
11:19 Lines 1-3
13:59 Lines 2-4
15:21 Lines 3-5
16:12 Concluding remarks
17:05 Performance (audio with score)
18:27 Patreon information

Louis Couperin: Prelude in c minor.
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Otto Steinmayer: Les Plaisirs des Cétacés. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-05-16 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:48 A performing challenge
2:50 The recording process
3:47 Overdubbing and dislocation
5:20 Performance
8:11 Patreon information

Otto Steinmayer: Les Plaisirs des Cétacés (dedicated to Linda Skernick).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

Armand-Louis Couperin: LAffligée. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-05-04 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 The Pre-Classical style in (modern) music history
1:40 Shortcomings of the modern view
3:06 The Rococo style
5:37 The Pièces de clavecin of 1751
7:21 The expressive content of L'Affligée
8:03 Rhythmic flexibility and choice of tempo
10:09 Notes inégales
10:38 Adding ornaments
11:05 Grace notes
12:38 Separating phrases and approaching cadences
17:25 Performance

Armand-Louis Couperin: L'Affligée (from Pièces de clavecin [1751]).
John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

A Clavinova from the early 90s: demonstration and performance.

John Moraitis 2021-04-19 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:38 Main Features
3:41 Recording features
9:24 Playback features
11:29 Recording BWV 639
13:46 Approach to performance
15:05 Performance

Music in the video:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Chorale Prelude "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ," BWV 639 (from the Orgelbüchlein)

My performance of the first movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in c minor, op. 111:
youtube.com/watch?v=YTWw960iLGo

Corrections:
1) At 0:57 I left out the word "of" – the sentence should be "… because of some of its capabilities …"
2) In a couple of places in the video, I refer to BWV 639 as a "chorale" – it should be a "chorale prelude." I'll blame the excitement of the moment :-)

Geoffroy: Suite in a minor, part 2. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-04-06 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

0:00 Introduction
1:56 Gavotte I
3:58 Passacaille – definition & general characteristics
4:54 The theme
7:48 Harmonic progression in measures 3 and 4
9:27 Variations 1 and 2
10:28 Variation 3
11:23 Variation 4
13:19 Variation 5
15:02 Variation 6
16:11 Chaconne – preliminary performance
18:08 First reaction
18:53 The ostinato bass
19:53 "sur 4. nottes"
21:19 Harmonic analysis of measures 1-4
23:36 Formal structure
25:05 Performance
25:20 Gavotte I
26:10 Gavotte II
27:08 Menuet
28:08 Gigue
29:55 Passacaille
32:15 Chaconne sur 4. nottes
34:29 Patreon information

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in a minor, part 2:
V. Gavotte I
VI. Gavotte II
VII. Menuet
VIII. Gigue
IX. Passacaille
X. Chaconne sur 4. nottes

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz

François Dufaut: Sarabande in a minor. John Moraitis, spinet.

John Moraitis 2021-03-25 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Title & original manuscript
1:14 Performance
4:44 Patreon information

François Dufaut: Sarabande in a minor
(source: Lautentabulatur des Christoph Franz von Wolkenstein-Rodenegg (ca. 1650-1675), Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Mus.ms. 40068, folio 20).

John Moraitis, spinet.
Spinet: Neupert "Zenti" (Bamberg, 2008).
Temperament: quarter-comma meantone. A=415 Hz

Geoffroy: Suite in a minor, part 1. John Moraitis, harpsichord.

John Moraitis 2021-03-13 | Support the channel at patreon.com/johnmoraitis
Thank you for your support!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 The Livre des pièces de clavessin
3:55 Reception of Geoffroy's music
6:02 Two arguments
7:48 Harmonic features in the Allemande
14:00 Harmonic features in the Sarabande
18:18 Performing challenges
22:37 Performance
22:53 Allemande
26:10 Courante
27:34 Autre Courante
28:59 Sarabande

Links:
Geoffroy, Suite in f minor, part 1: youtube.com/watch?v=ENCaXfMtG4o
Geoffroy, Suite in f minor, part 2: youtube.com/watch?v=aMeC9nYlC7o
Geoffroy, Chaconne in g minor: youtube.com/watch?v=9Xd476TEkhg

Jean-Nicolas Geoffroy: Suite in a minor, part 1:
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Autre Courante
IV. Sarabande

John Moraitis, harpsichord.
Harpsichord by Martine Argellies (Montpellier, 2012), after Dulcken.
Temperament: Rameau. A=415 Hz