John Mantel (1706-1761): Solo I in d-minor

World Première Recording
1) Largo: 00:00 2) Corrente: 3:51 3) Largo: 6:32 4) Gigga: 8:31
When I first ran across this composer, I assumed he was British, due to his name. However, a bit of research revealed that his real name had been “Johann Christoph Scheidemantel”. Clearly he was German: He was born in Erfurt on May 13, 1706, and had at some time or another moved to England, as did so many others in the 18th century, including the great Handel. Apparently he anglicized and simplified his name for the comfort of English speakers. Mantel served as organist of South Benfleet in Essex. Mantel’s “Six Solos, Opus 2” were probably composed in the 1730s, or 1740s at the latest, judging from their baroque, very “conservative” style. The title page states that they are “for a Violin or Harpsichord”, since they can be played either with or without a violin. While there is nothing “original” in this music – that is to say, the style is based on older models – it nonetheless shows that Mantel was a quite able composer in every respect. Mantel died on Dec 28, 1761, in Great Yarmouth (near Norfolk, England).
David Bolton, “The Digital Harpsichordist”
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