Customer Reviews

Variaciones del Fandango Español

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is by far the best disc of harpsichord music I've heard. The opening fandango by Soler is one of the most immediately satisfying (and exciting) works for solo keyboard I know, outshadowing Couperin and possibly J.S. Bach. I was wary of picking up this disc since my forays into lesser known galant era composers have resulted in often tuneful but not terribly brilliant music. But this is all good stuff, and sounds great on the instrument chosen by Staier. I've really been impressed with everything I've heard him do, especially his (no longer available) recordings of Haydn's piano sonatas. And while the Boccherini selection is a partially improvised transcription of the D major guitar quintet, the questionable risk taken is well worth the results. The castanets are most welcome here, and this is truly the work of musicians enjoying themselves. An amazing disc.

Simply the best harpsichord recording i heard for years not only because of the high quality recording but also for the interpretation and its musical value. By the way the record was awarded Diapason d' or 1999.

This is one of the best albums of harpsichord music of the Spanish Baroque period ever recorded. Andrea Staier's virtuousity is unparalleled. The order of the pieces is a lesson of itself and brings the listener from the banked fire of Soler's Fandango through the forms permutations as it was adopted by the upper classes from its rural origins. The finale, Boccherini's magnificient Fandango from his Guitar Quintet in D, transcribed for 2 harpsichords and castanets is dazzling.

If the proof of the pudding is in the end result, I can safely say this is one addictive album of music. I just got my hands on Staier's transcription of the Boccherini piece and am giddy with delight at having the ability to now learn it.

I heard but one song on the radio today, wrote down the station web page address, looked up the cd played, came here to amazon to order it, listened to clips, I'm sold

I first heard the Solar Fandango [the first cut] on a satellite program of classical music and went hunting for the CD like crazy. The performance is spectacular. I play this repeatedly. The Boccherini pieces are a great finale.

This is a stunning tour de force. I totally agree with other reviewers - this disc is absolutely unique: more than wonderfully played and excellently recorded. Listening to this cd just makes me happy every time.
Also, it is probably a unique opportunity to listen to a combination of renaissance harpsichord with castanets. The last piece on this cd - the one by Luigi Boccherini is arranged by Staier and Scgornsheim in the most interesting way: the castanets /harpsichord combination is mindblowing.
The cd is most wonderful in all respects.

Outstanding playing from one of the best period keyboard players on the planet. If Andreas Staier is involved in a project, there is a 99% chance that it will be brilliant and revelatory. This disc is no exception. He plays with fire, wit and grace. Seek out anything he touches. I've only found one disappointment (out of 25 or so recordings), and even that release had many redeeming qualities. See my reviews of his Mozart recordings for more details.