Search - Domenico Scarlatti, Christian Zacharias :: D. Scarlatti: Sonatas [Hybrid SACD]

Restrained

Eloi | Ely, NV USA | 05/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now that Stephen Plaistow has annointed this recording in his

BBC programme "Building a Library," sales of Christian Zacharias's recording should jump. Restraint isn't a bad thing, and Z's recordings are well-turned (though he seems almost embarrassed by the ornaments at times). This approach works well for K 402 and OK for most of the sonatas on this recording. But K 519, and Scarlatti in general, needs more bottle.



A number of other Scarlatti recordings by Michael Lewin (steel fingers), Benjamin Frith (lyricism), and Cristiana Pegoraro (just joy) reveal the passion and flamboyance that Z's recording lacks.

"

Love These Restrained Performances of Scarlatti's Piano Sona

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 06/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Restrained? More the reason I think to love Christian Zacharias' fine recording of these Domenico Scarlatti piano sonatas. His thoughtful interpretations should be well received by many classical music fans, especially those who've followed period instrument practice. I greatly admire not only Zacharias' technical excellence at the keyboard which he demonstrates repeatedly in this recording, but his graceful, almost cantabile-like, playing. In plain English, he strikes a fine balance between excessive emotionalism and technical perfection. The sound quality of this recording in its Hybrid SACD format is absolutely impeccable. So I have no hesitation in recommending this recent recording from Christian Zacharias as both a fine interpretation of these Scarlatti piano sonatas, and a delightful introduction."