Renaissance Dances and Baroque Favourites
J. Burton | 05/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"David Kinsela plays a 1629 Italian virginal in performance of "Digital (of the fingers) Dances" from a variety of renaissance composers. Also on this disc are several baroque works played on a 1763 Kirkman harpsichord.
This cd presents 25 years' work in reconstructing early keyboard techniques, particularly the skill of running across the keys in `paired fingering' which creates a distinctive energy and eloquence. The technique is described in the accompanying booklet. The rhythmic discipline of the dance requires specific tempi, strong pulse and suppression of Romantic habits such as cadential ritenuti. By way of compensation, paired fingering leads to habits of spontaneity and of controlled irregularity (inégale), and results in an organic manner of `swinging the beat'." (mainlyopera.com)"