6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Malcolm Hamilton ROCKS!, November 17, 2004
This review is from: Scarlatti: Sonatas/Handel: Suite No.7 In G Minor/Chaconne No.1 In G Major (Audio CD)
I bought this cd several months ago and never tire of listening to it. Malcolm was a student of the great harpsichordist Alice Ehlers, who was Wanda Landowska's first student in 1913 at the Hochschule fur Musik. Sadly, Malcolm passed away in November,2003 at the age of 70. This CD is testament however to his greatness.
On this recording Malcolm plays his 1962 Wittmayer Harpsichord(requilled in Delrin), with 2x8'1x4'1x16', with buffs to the back 8' and 16', all controlled by 5 pedals and two handstops(for the buff stops). If you're tired of the monotone,non-dynamic playing on historical harpsichords AND of harpsichordists playing the music out of time(to make it more expressive since they can't make instantaneous register changes without pedals)to try and SUGGEST dynamics, then this CD is for you. This is hardcore harpsichord playing the way it was when Landowska was running the show, full of extreme dynamics, rhythmic bite and over-the-top music making. The sound is crystal clear-absolutely superior. Turn up the bass on your stereo and blast the volume! Malcolm will blow you away! Long Live the Old School of Harpsichord Playing!
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