Domenico Scarlatti: Complete Sonatas Vols VI & VII

Richard Lester (harpsichord)
Nimbus Records
NI 1730 (Vol VI – 6 Cds) and
NI 1731 (Vol VII – 3 Cds)

What a wonderful achievement. The complete sonatas on appropriate instruments on 38 discs is a great library addition and with performances like this, no-one will be disappointed.

The principal instrument used on these discs (Vols 6 and 7) is a copy of a harpsichord by Joachim Jose Antunes made in Lisbon in 1785. The original lives in Finchcocks, Kent and is one I know very well (as I'm director of education there).

My first impression was that this was a fantastic copy, capturing the unique dry quality of the original with the fabulously sonorous bass. Richard Lester uses it well, savouring the percussive edginess of the sound but at the same time making the instrument sing, particularly with just one of the two sets of eight foot strings engaged.

I have been asked by PGW to provide a general overview of these releases, but this has not stopped me listening to all the discs – passing many car journeys, and then at home for sonic analysis, finally being downloaded to my mp3 player for overall musical enjoyment.

There is very much to enjoy and Richard Lester has done the harpsichord world a huge favour by presenting these pieces in this way. The booklets enclosed with these two releases are informative and contain much that enhances the listening experience.

Volume 7 also contains a booklet entitled “Flamenco Sketches” where the performer attempts to analyse many of the Spanish elements in the music; this is enlightening reading. Now and again I couldn't help feeling that I wanted more of this Spanish colour in the playing: there is much brilliance and virtuosity but sometimes a lack of raw spirit and Spanish ebullience.

The recorded sound varies, too. Sometimes (particularly on disc 1 of volume 6) the harpsichord disappears backwards from the listener, and sometimes I felt I was sitting inside it!

Something, unmentioned in the booklets, happens with the harpsichord now and again: it develops an extra set of strings (and becomes Flemish?) and even gains pipes (Vol 6, disc 2, track 3)! What a shame the otherwise accurate booklets fail to mention these other instruments. The organ, particularly, has a pleasing old-fashioned tone to it and I wanted to know more about it.

Minor gripes aside, this is a splendid achievement.

Steven Devine

Full info & track listings Vols 1 - 7

For readers daunted by the complete Scarlatti sonatas, about which I endorse Steven Devine's praise, this is a pleasing re-issue of a popular selection recorded by Ton Koopman in Utrecht, 1986.

Koopman plays a Kroesbergen instrument "after Stephanini", its warm tone supplemented by the resonant acoustic of the Maria minor church.

There being not a single manuscript page in existence, there have to be reservations about any claim to absolute authenticity, and one really does need to have more than one version of this loveable music. We enjoyed these accounts greatly; nor would I be without those of Mikhail Pletnev on piano (Virgin: 5619612 - at bargain re-issue price irresistible!).

Capriccio's presentation is in book-format, more individual than the standard jewel case.

Recommended

Peter Grahame Woolf