Search - Ross :: Tribute to Scott Ross

The late Scott Ross is best known for his monumental set of Scarlatti's complete keyboard works, but on this fitting tribute, we get a sampling of some of the keyboardist's other talents. The first disc collects Ross's contributions to French radio broadcasts, titled "Renaissance of French Organs," from the mid-1970s. Here, at the console of two great 18th-century organs (one in Gimont, the other in Cuers), Ross performs an eclectic mix of works by John Bull, Francisco Correa de Arauxo, Bach, and Frescobaldi. It's fascinating to compare the sounds of the two instruments: the Cuers sounds warm and inviting, but lacks the range of Gimont's state-of-the-art (for 1781), 58-stop masterpiece. Ross is in top form here, but it's the harpsichord disc featuring Forqueray, Duphly, and Bach that steals the show--it's expressive, and the recorded sound is gorgeous. --Jason Verlinde