A Brilliant Display of Baroque Fireworks: Murray Perahia Plays Handel and Scarlatti
Written: Apr 02 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Brilliant and sensitive playing, wonderful virtuosity, brings the dances of Handel to life.
Cons: Not played on a harpsichord.
The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend this disc to anybody interested in Baroque music and the art of Murray Perahia.
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| peacheater's Full Review: Murray Perahia plays Handel and Scarlatti |
Over the past thirty years, there has been a revival of interest in the keyboard works of Handel and Scarlatti. Bearing in mind that most people knew Handel and Scarlatti's works only through a few pieces and not as a whole, this new renaissance has truly rewarded those of us who have wanted to hear more works than the usual ones that are played in recital all over the world.
Murray Perahia has been a pianist for whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration. He has recorded much of the classical repertoire including the complete piano concertos of Mozart and most of the keyboard music of Chopin. He is a pianist who commands both a great deal of lyricism and a tremendous amount of virtuosity. In a certain sense, he manages to combine both fire and ice in his playing to produce recordings and concerts that are treasured by listeners and classical music lovers all over the world.
What I particularly love about this disc is how even in the short Scarlatti sonatas, Perahia manages to bring out all of those minor details that so many other great pianists miss. Like Vladimir Horowitz before him, Perahia is one of the greatest of Scarlatti pianists.
Simply listen to the Sonata in D major, K. 491 and you will immediately hear what I'm talking about. In this particular piece, Scarlatti wants the listener to feel that h/she is at a processional and the grand manner with which Perahia plays this miniature work brings that particular aspect to the fore. Another interesting fact is that Scarlatti, who spent most of his life in Spain, was profoundly influenced by the flamenco guitar music that he heard. In this sonata, Perahia also brings out this aspect by giving the flourishes that Scarlatti has written tremendous power.
In the three Handel suites that are recorded here, I really love the way that Perahia makes these pieces dance. It only takes a small leap of the imagination to see men and women dressed in powdered wigs dancing to these particular pieces at a ball.
I have no problems with this recording except that I would suggest that those who prefer their Handel and Scarlatti on a harpsichord should look elsewhere. Perahia plays all of these works on a modern Steinway piano so he is by no means using an authentic instrument for this recording.
Overall, I highly recommend this playing for the brilliant performances that Perahia gives to these masterpieces of the eighteenth century music. I strongly suggest it not only as an introduction to the music itself, but also as an introduction to the art of Murray Perahia.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Listening
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peacheater
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Reviews written: 62
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About Me:
A student who loves backpacking, books, and good music.
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