Domenico Scarlatti - RR 12/10/19

[kernelbogey]

Andrew played, and discussed with Elin Manahan Thomas (or possibly Sarah Devonald):

Keyboard Sonata K443 in D major and K45 in D major, performed on the piano by Lucas Debargue (Sony).

They reviewed these warmly IIRC, and it set me wondering about buying this. I have only Pletnev on piano (2 Virgin Classics CDs, 31 sonatas) - and have been listening to him again after a long gap. I have always enjoyed the rather romantic quality to this recording - but am now in need of something more manzanilla than amontillado!

Any comments, and/or alternative recommendations? Harpsichord considered!

[Bryn]

Andrew played, and discussed with Elin Manahan Thomas (or possibly Sarah Devonald):

Keyboard Sonata K443 in D major and K45 in D major, performed on the piano by Lucas Debargue (Sony).

They reviewed these warmly IIRC, and it set me wondering about buying this. I have only Pletnev on piano (2 Virgin Classics CDs, 31 sonatas) - and have been listening to him again after a long gap. I have always enjoyed the rather romantic quality to this recording - but am now in need of something more manzanilla than amontillado!

Any comments, and/or alternative recommendations? Harpsichord considered!

Surely it as to be:



Under £1.50 per disc.

[vinteuil]

.

... the Scott Ross flagged up by Bryn is an absolute must-have.

On harpsichord I also wouldn't want to be without the couple of CDs by Andreas Staier, and the (so far) six in Pierre Hantai's current survey.

On piano I get great joy from the CDs of Christian Zacharias and Horowitz.

So much to enjoy! As the man himself said in the preface to his Essercizi per gravicembalo : 'Vivi felice' - 'Live happily'




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[kernelbogey]

Thanks Bryn and Vints - most helpful.

I wonder if you heard the Debargue on Saturday*, and, if so, what you thought?

(*I have corrected the thread title - the Record Review concerned was last Saturday.)

[vinteuil]

.

... yes, I heard the Debargue - and found it most attractive. I'm a bit of a Scarlatti omnivore, and I'm sure I'll end up justifying to myself the 'need' to acquire these ones to add to all the rest ...

If I were the sort of person to be embarrassed by such things, I might just be embarrassed by the number of Scarlatti CDs on the shelves here - but I can honestly say I have found delight in all of them - with the exception of the Richd: Lester set on hyperion, leaden and without the life-affirming joy which shd be such an essential part of any Scarlatti performance. To be avoided.

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[verismissimo]

Although I admit to be something of a completist, I've never considered buying a complete Scarlatti set. I find that one side of an LP is pure delight, but enough.

Speaking of which, I find that I have LPs acquired over several decades by (pioneering) Wanda Landowska, Horowitz, Gilbert Rowland, the young Andras Schiff on Hungaroton, Valda Aveling, Gustav Leonhardt, Fernando Valenti and Blandine Verlet. And more recent CDs by Staier and Pletnev.

If I could only keep one, it would be … Horowitz.

[vinteuil]

Although I admit to be something of a completist, I've never considered buying a complete Scarlatti set. I find that one side of an LP is pure delight, but enough. .

... one of the joys of the arrival of the CD was. of course, the ability easily to listen to (just) one or two tracks - and for a composer like Scarlatti that was a godsend. Back in the day I had various Scarlatti LPs - but you don't always want to listen to a whole side, and the finickiness of dropping the needle on to the track desired really got in the way.

.

[Bryn]

.

... yes, I heard the Debargue - and found it most attractive. I'm a bit of a Scarlatti omnivore, and I'm sure I'll end up justifying to myself the 'need' to acquire these ones to add to all the rest ...

If I were the sort of person to be embarrassed by such things, I might just be embarrassed by the number of Scarlatti CDs on the shelves here - but I can honestly say I have found delight in all of them - with the exception of the Richd: Lester set on hyperion, leaden and without the life-affirming joy which shd be such an essential part of any Scarlatti performance. To be avoided.

.

The dire Lester recordings are on Nimbus, surely? I would donate my set to a charity shop. but for a guilty feeling that I would be lumbering the eventual purchaser with something they would not get much pleasure from.

[vinteuil]

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... sorry, yes - nimbus. My apologies to hyperion...

.

[rauschwerk]

I'm very partial to Pogorelich (still full price after 27 years!) and Pinnock (both DG) as well as Staier

[verismissimo]

.

... the Scott Ross flagged up by Bryn is an absolute must-have.

.

Finally … your advocacy for Scott Ross bears fruit, vints … I invested in a single Scarlatti CD.

Simply superb. Thanks so much.

And what a tragic life.