Search - Domenico Scarlatti, Scott Ross :: Scarlatti: Best Sonatas

A fine introduction to either Scarlatti or the harpsichord

cdwitmer | Tachikawa, Tokyo Japan | 08/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti are deceptively profound. Brief and often simply structured, they nevertheless place great demands on technique and there is no place for the musician to "hide." Comparing various musicians' interpretations of a piece is always fun, but it is especially rewarding with Scarlatti's sonatas. I just finished comparing this disc to that of Ivo Pogorelich playing some of the same pieces on a piano. (The two discs have three sonatas in common.) For the most part Ross' playing is exquisite but there were a few points where I felt the sonata didn't flow as well as it should have -- the phrase "sewing machine playing" to describe those points is much too harsh, but that's the general idea. The contrast with Pogorelich in this area was easy to notice. I'm still giving this four stars despite the few warts. This is still some of the most delightful harpsichord music I have had the pleasure to hear. With such great artistic sense, mastery of his instrument, and thorough familiarity with the musical universe of Domenico Scarlatti, it's a shame Ross was unable to avail himself of the wisdom needed to avoid a premature death (in his late thirties) from AIDS in 1989. But at least this music survives for all to enjoy."