Christophe Rousset - Domenico Scarlatti ~ 15 Harpsichord Sonatas

Rousset (Artist, Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Rousset
• Audio CD (April 13, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000IJ0V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,509 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wondrously evocative, audacious and exciting., April 20, 2001

By 

John Austin "[e-mail]" (Kangaroo Ground, Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christophe Rousset - Domenico Scarlatti ~ 15 Harpsichord Sonatas (Audio CD)

Acclaimed French harpsichord player Christophe Rousset seems to have made only this one CD of Domenico Scarlatti sonatas to date. I can thoroughly recommend the playing, the two instruments used, and - of course - the works themselves, which are wondrously evocative, audacious and exciting. The recording was made in 1998. All but the last 4 sonatas were performed on a single manual Portugese instrument dating from 1785. It has a silent action, a pungent bass and spicy, rich sonorities right up to the top treble. The other instrument has two manuals and, dating from 1756 England, is closer in time to Scarlatti's own era. Rousset makes good use of the resources the two manuals provide, and accidentally kicks the wooden casing, in K 140. Like most keyboard players who enjoy a challenge, he has a high old time with the frenetic repetitions and hand crossings in K 141.

4 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent recording, July 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Christophe Rousset - Domenico Scarlatti ~ 15 Harpsichord Sonatas (Audio CD)

This album by Christophe Rousset is one of the better offerings featuring Scarlatti on the harpsichord. I personally enjoy Scarlatti's sonatas more when they are played on the piano, since they tend to have a warmer tone, but this is a decent disc that has none of the harsh, metallic harpsichord sounds that sometimes mar recordings made on the instrument. The only strange thing about the recording is the cover photo of Mr. Rousset. With his baggy "homeboy"-style pants and sloppy dress, I think he might harbor secret ambitions of being the star of a rap album instead of a classical one. Minus one star for the lame fashion choice. For Scarlatti on the piano, check out Ivo Pogorelich on Deutsche Gramophon, Mikhail Pletnev on Virgin, Andras Schiff on Hungaraton, or anything by Vladimir Horowitz.