Search - Soler, Scott Ross :: Fandango / Sonatas

It's Just A Shame...

Douglas S. Halfen | Baltimore, MD, USA | 05/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...That Scott Ross didn't do a complete series of Soler's harpsichord music, as he did for Domenico Scarlatti, because the evidence given by this disc would only indicate that such a set, while not matching the monumental proportions of the Scarlatti, would have been just as worthwhile an endeavour, both for the artist and for the listener. I have Asperen's complete set and Rowland's "it's-getting-there" series on Naxos - Asperen is more "Spanish" (as the first reviewer wished), but he doesn't _always_ hit the right tempos (IMHumbleO); Rowland chooses excellent tempos, but the harpsichord sound is sometimes a little distant (a forgivable thing, since Rowland's playing is so assured and powerful - do not neglect these discs because they're budget discs!!!). Ross, however, whacks 'em both upside the head - his penchant for playing (a) flawlessly and (b) at consistent tempos only makes this music even more enjoyable. His "Fandango" (which may not even be a Soler composition, in some scholars' opinions) is, to me, particularly definitive. Now if we only had 11 more discs of the stuff... :-("

A French view on a Spanish Composer?

Douglas S. Halfen | 10/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is very clean and exceptionally performed by the Maestro Ross. There is only one little sin: The style sounds more French than Spanyard. If you had no notice on these pieces, you could think that you are hearing to Couperin instead of Soler. Perhaps Mr Ross should make a travel to Spain to feel the character of it's people."