Domenico Scarlatti - Sonatas Vol.4 | Mirare MIR285

Domenico Scarlatti - Sonatas Vol.4

Label: Mirare

Cat No: MIR285

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Instrumental

Release Date: 6th May 2016

Contents

About

A fourth volume of Domenico Scarlatti's Sonatas from the doyen of French harpsichordists, Pierre Hantaï, of whom Gramophone said:

“an astonishing display of dexterity in which the harpsichord he uses (a 1999 copy of an anonymous Thuringian instrument of 1720) and the acoustic help in preserving total clarity. Even at maximum velocity (did Scarlatti and his pupil reach such speeds?) he manages to shape his phrases with micro-second dwellings.

“It isn't only the speedy sonatas that are impressive; Kk208 exemplifies his skilful shifts to either side of the pulse in giving the lines a natural 'vocal' quality. It also illuminates Kk185, 310, 199 and 162, in the last of which it's more evident in the playful quicker 'interludes'. The irresistible disc is splendidly annotated by Hantaï and beautifully packaged.”
- Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

Scarlatti 50 Sonatas for Harpsichord (MIR273 Vols 1-3):

“Hantai’s agility is something to marvel at, especially as his playing is so clear and rhythmical, even at daringly fast speeds … this is an exceptional Scarlatti collection: three varied programmes performed quite brilliantly on instruments that are ideally suited to the music.” - International Record Review, February 2015

Reviews

Playing a bright German-style harpsichord with quick decay but plenty of colour and depth, Hantaï shows what can be achieved by a virtuoso who commands perfect technical control in which nothing is rushed or scrambled, a touch at the keys from which every note speaks clearly, and an emotional eloquence in which melodies sing and a subtle strategy of spread chords, hesitations, accents, displacements and articulations leads your ear to the music’s important notes, harmonies and rhythms, even in the most challenging passages.  Lindsay Kemp
Gramophone Awards issue 2016
Hantaï responds sensitively to the myriad expressive nuances of these single-movement Sonatas, overlooking none of their subtleties and underlining their striking affective contrasts.  Nicholas Anderson (Instrumental Choice)
BBC Music Magazine October 2016

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