Notes and Editorial Reviews
This disc received the 1998 Cannes Classical Music Awards for "Record of the Year" and "Best Instrumental Solo or Chamber Performance - 17th/18th Centuries." It also received the 1997 Gramophone magazine award for "Best Instrumental Recording," was Gramophone's "Recording of the Month" for May 1997, and was nominated for the 1998 Grammy Award for "Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra)."
Murray Perahia is one of the great all-around pianists. His mastery of musical form, his perfectly attenuated tone, and his burnished technique place the whole literature in his grasp. His recordings of Bach threaten to put Bach "specialists" out of business. Here his readings of two other giants of the Baroque immediately take
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their place in the forefront of available recordings.
The Handel is noble--the composer's characteristic poise emerges in the dance movements of the suites, and the Chaconne is splendid for its virtuosity and invention. Perahia has a special affinity for Scarlatti as well. One might have guessed that his friendship with Vladimir Horowitz would have carried some influence--perhaps it did, but the Scarlatti of Perahia does not run as riot with color, nor is it fractured by eccentric tempi or accents. It's typical Perahia: consistent and consistently great. The slower sonatas fare especially well and are preferable to the weirdness of Mikhail Pletnev.
Fine notes (by esteemed harpsichordist and Scarlatti authority, Igor Kipnis) and great sound make this a must-have. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Suite for Harpsichord in E major, HWV 430 by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1720; London, England
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 8 Minutes 52 Secs.
2.
Chaconne and Variations (21) for Harpsichord in G major, HWV 435 by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1733; London, England
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 8 Minutes 1 Secs.
3.
Suite for Harpsichord in D minor, HWV 428 by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1720; London, England
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 13 Minutes 21 Secs.
4.
Suite for Harpsichord in F major, HWV 427 by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1720; London, England
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 8 Minutes 8 Secs.
5.
Sonata for Harpsichord in D major, K 491/L 164 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: 18th Century
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Sofien Hall, Vienna, Austria
Length: 5 Minutes 25 Secs.
6.
Sonata for Harpsichord in B minor, K 27/L 449 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1738
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 3 Minutes 42 Secs.
7.
Sonata for Harpsichord in C sharp minor, K 247/L 256 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: 18th Century
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Sofien Hall, Vienna, Austria
Length: 4 Minutes 52 Secs.
8.
Sonata for Harpsichord in D major, K 29/L 461 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1738
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 4 Minutes 35 Secs.
9.
Sonata for Harpsichord in A major, K 537/L 293 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: 18th Century
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 3 Minutes 2 Secs.
10.
Sonata for Harpsichord in E major, K 206/L 257 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: 18th Century
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
Length: 5 Minutes 53 Secs.
11.
Sonata for Harpsichord in A major, K 212/L 135 by Domenico Scarlatti
Performer:
Murray Perahia (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: 18th Century
Date of Recording: 1996
Venue: Sofien Hall, Vienna, Austria
Length: 3 Minutes 5 Secs.
Sound Samples
Air (with 5 variations; "Harmonious Blacksmith")
Chaconne in G Major, HWV 435
Sonata in C-sharp minor, K 247
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Superb recording of Perahia at his best July 20, 2012
By Alan L. (Doral, FL) See All My Reviews
"Perahia's playing is crisp and precise while retaining all of the flowing grace and beauty of Scarlatti's music. I often wonder if Scarlatti, like Bach, could see into the future to a time when his music could sound so much better than what was then possible with a harpsichord. Perahia has brought his legacy to life in an unforgettable recording of great balance and modulation. His profound mastery and understanding of the baroque is evident here, and never has Handel sounded so good! An unqualified thumbs up to this recording."
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Murray Perahia's recording disappoints May 15, 2012
By Jerome Kremen (Pikesville, MD) See All My Reviews
"I was greatly disappointed with Mr. Parahia's performance of Scaralatti. His fine interpretations of Mozart and Beethoven that I remembered prompted me to buy the Handel/Scarlatti disc, but so much of his playing here was so hurried and exhibitionistic (or so I thought) that I have not listened to it again. The tempo at times was so extreme as to make the pieces incoherent. Contributing to the over the top impression was the recorded sound of the piano which was too on top of the listener and too reverberant. A much better recording and performnce of the Scarlatti pieces was done by by Anthony di Bonaventura on tape a few years back."
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