Customer Reviews

Purcell: Keyboard Suites & Grounds

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Geezzz, how can it be? I thought that Couperin, Rameau, Dulphy, d'Anglebert et alii, eventually Bach (by extension, given that he copied so well the French style...) were all that needed to be listen too (I happened to be French and an harpsichord lover). France Musiques - in a concerted action of acculturation I suspect - broadcast a wonderful piece of Purcell performed by Egarr. I immediately ordered the record: the wonder continues, witty, fun, beautiful music, remarkably played on a superb instrument. And all that was written well before my favorite French pieces... Scrogneugneu! Like that Shakespeare, always trumping Moliere! Well, seriouly: Mille bravos and thanks, and my warmest recommendation.

"An outstanding recital." Gramophone Magazine Recommends


5 STARS - BBC Music Magazine


"His playing is much like this music itself: gracious, smart, flexible, and inspired."

- Jay Nordlinger THE NEW YORK SUN


"He serves up one bristling performance after another. The tinkly blandishments of many harpsichord recordings are nowhere to be found in Egarr's bright and burnished tone, driving but elastic rhythms and assertively turned ornaments. The Suite No. 3 in G Major serves as a particularly telling showcase of what Egarr can do. The Prelude storms by in a busy torrent. The Almand has a flowing sense of pastoral equipoise, followed by the rigor of the Courante. It's a little seven-minute English universe."

- Steven Winn, Wild Applause, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE


"Richard Egarr on harpsichord has a masterful touch that serves to bring these pieces to life."

- Mike Birman, AUDIOPHILE AUDITION


"Egarr's includes recent manuscript discoveries in the program, and his instrument...has a beautifully bold sound, captured with crystal clarity. Egarr's usual measured phrasing has an appealing gravity here, especially in the minor-key suites. The grounds are also emotive territory. The snaking tune of 'A New Ground' is particularly affecting and strangely familiar, like a bittersweet memory coming back to haunt the mind all over again."

- Bradley Bambarger, STAR-LEDGER

Perhaps if I sat and listened to this in 5 minute increments then I would like it more. I love much of the Baroque, Bach is my favorite composer. I know the comparision is unfair but, still, it stuck in my head. Here there is none of Bach's architecture. Pieces are short -there are 38 tracks on this cd. Some pieces are very short indeed and to flesh them out, five repeats are given. Five. Not exactly insipid pop but it got on my nerves as did the repetitive ornamentation, over and over again, glissandos, glissandos, glissandos.

I really doubt Purcell ever intended these pieces to be heard as they are here, all at one go. Nothing much holds the experience together. I longed for lines that would connect and develop it all. Even in the playing. Can it be done on the harpsichord, or am I wishing for a Glenn Gould to play it on a piano and thereby give the pieces greater dynamics and definition? Unlike other Purcell I have, this is only harpsichord.

It is pretty. Busy pretty. The mind wanders. Perhaps a dinner party with this as the musical wallpaper? Back it goes to the store.