Grand Dieux! Who is that Purcell anyway?
Frederic Bois | France | 10/20/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Geezzz, how can it be? I thought that Couperin, Rameau, Dulphy, d'Anglebert et alii, eventually Bach (by extension, given that he copied so well the French style...) were all that needed to be listen too (I happened to be French and an harpsichord lover). France Musiques - in a concerted action of acculturation I suspect - broadcast a wonderful piece of Purcell performed by Egarr. I immediately ordered the record: the wonder continues, witty, fun, beautiful music, remarkably played on a superb instrument. And all that was written well before my favorite French pieces... Scrogneugneu! Like that Shakespeare, always trumping Moliere! Well, seriouly: Mille bravos and thanks, and my warmest recommendation."
Wild Applause
Kate Betton | 09/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
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"An outstanding recital." Gramophone Magazine Recommends
5 STARS - BBC Music Magazine
"His playing is much like this music itself: gracious, smart, flexible, and inspired."
- Jay Nordlinger THE NEW YORK SUN
"He serves up one bristling performance after another. The tinkly blandishments of many harpsichord recordings are nowhere to be found in Egarr's bright and burnished tone, driving but elastic rhythms and assertively turned ornaments. The Suite No. 3 in G Major serves as a particularly telling showcase of what Egarr can do. The Prelude storms by in a busy torrent. The Almand has a flowing sense of pastoral equipoise, followed by the rigor of the Courante. It's a little seven-minute English universe."
- Steven Winn, Wild Applause, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
"Richard Egarr on harpsichord has a masterful touch that serves to bring these pieces to life."
- Mike Birman, AUDIOPHILE AUDITION
"Egarr's includes recent manuscript discoveries in the program, and his instrument...has a beautifully bold sound, captured with crystal clarity. Egarr's usual measured phrasing has an appealing gravity here, especially in the minor-key suites. The grounds are also emotive territory. The snaking tune of 'A New Ground' is particularly affecting and strangely familiar, like a bittersweet memory coming back to haunt the mind all over again."
- Bradley Bambarger, STAR-LEDGER
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