goldberg_variations.pdf

John Metz has an active career as harpsichord soloist and continuo player throughout the United States. He has appeared regularly at the Connecticut Early Music Festival since its inception in 1981, performing on harpsichord and fortepiano and directing several operas. He holds a DMA from The Juilliard School where he was a student of Albert Fuller.

He is Professor of Harpsichord at Arizona State University, and director of the early-music group Ensemble Versailles. He has published an edition of early 18th Century French vocal music (Pendragon Press), and has recorded three of the harpsichord suites of Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (Summit Records). Dr. Metz has contributed several articles to the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Keyboard Instruments to be published by Garland Press. He performed Bach's Goldberg Variations on tour during the fall of 1997.

He and ASU colleague Barbara Bailey are now working on an edition of the Six Sonatas for Cello and Fortepiano of Rayner Taylor.

Label: Soundset Recordings
Item Number: SR1013
Format: CD
Year Recorded: 1998

'artist of major caliber at the harpsichord, unflappable, with an impressive technique subordinated to a sensitivity to the styles appropriate to the music he played.'
'The Evening Press, Binghamton, N.Y.

'... Metz dispatched its blend of scurrying runs and forearm clusters with a panache and an accuracy...'
New York Times

"One of the most accomplished musicians in this or any other country. As a composer, he stands upon the highest ground, both as to science and originality, as well as to knowledge of effect, and in every respect is certainly highly entitled to public favour. I cannot refrain from mentioning, that having heard, on a certain occasion, Mr. Taylor extemporize in one of his happiest moods, Mr. Reinagle declared unequivocally that he conceived it equal to the skill and powers of (C.P.E.) Bach himself."
- The Musical lntelligencer, (Philadelphia, 1822)