This Audio CD Music item from Sony was reviewed on 7-Oct-2008.
Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti Reference Music. Classifications : General Classical Styles Music General Chamber Music Classical Styles Music Scarlatti, Domenico All Works by Domenico Scarlatti ( S ) Featured Composers, A-Z Classical Styles Music Sonatinas Sonatas F . Click the following link to view the cover of Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti. Related topics: Prelude. Allemande. Courante. Air (with 5 variations: Harmonious Blacksmith"). Prelude. Allegro [Fugue]. Allemande. Courante. Air (with 5 variations). Presto. Adagio. Allegro. Adagio. Allegro [Fugue]. General. Classical. Styles. Music. General. Chamber Music. Classical. Styles. Music. Scarlatti, Domenico. requestid: 7eccb6df-1ba9-49bc-9d44-eec8f60dc3a7
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1) Audio CD Music Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti by Sony. If you love baroque keyboard music, this CD is a must have. Pariah´s technical skill is impeccable and his interpretations bring a new insight into the timeless beauty of these pieces. What a talent. Amazing!¤ 2) Audio CD Music Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti by Sony. Perahia´s artistry lifts the Handel suites to breathtaking levels of expressiveness. The pity is that it´s not an all Handel CD; it could be a generation or two before anyone may play Handel like this again.¤ 3) Audio CD Music Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti by Sony. Over the years I have compiled a list of pianists I want to be sure to hear in concert before I die. At the top of the list of remaining pianists yet unheard is Murray Perahia. He is, for me, possibly the most talented, most musical, most elegant pianist before the public. What, I asked myself, do I have to add to the sixteen reviews of this disc thus far submitted? Well, probably nothing startling. But I felt I needed to add my praise and a few comments about this essential disc.
The first, I suppose, is that I feel this disc IS essential. For anyone interested in baroque keyboard music this release (along with the other Bach and Handel discs Perahia has made) shows us how a modern pianist, using modern techniques and performance practices, has much to say about this so-familiar music. Of course, Perahia has a perfected technique. His left hand is possibly the best I´ve ever heard. Just listen to the incredibly fast runs, inflected on the fly, in some of the fast movements presented here (as in the presto variation of the ´Harmonious Blacksmith,´ for instance). Nobody else has as fluid a legato or rounded tone as Perahia. His feather-light staccatos at breakneck speed are breathtaking. In the G minor Chaconne of Handel the left hand octaves ring out like a 16-foot organ pedal stop. And on and on. All of this is the service of elegance, grace and rich yet crystalline sonority. When drama is called for, it´s there.
The extensive, admiring booklet notes, written by the late, great harpsichordist (and no mean pianist himself) Igor Kipnis, capture what is unique about Perahia.
This disc belongs on every musiclover´s shelf.
Scott Morrison¤ 4) Audio CD Music Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti by Sony. Whether you are into the intricacies of piano playing or just need the perfect way to relax after a long day, this music and Perahia´s incomparable playing are good for the soul.¤ 5) Audio CD Music Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti by Sony. Well maybe that is a bit exaggerated but it certainly ranks way up there with the best.
I was fortunate enough to see Murray Perahia perform a number of these pieces in Oxford during the period leading up this recording. Handel´s Chaconne in particular stuck in my mind after the concert as it had a profound affect on me. I am not one moved to tears often but the tears flowed in the concert and they still flow when I listen to this recording.
The "Harmonious Blacksmith" is another astonishing piece on piano.
In fact the whole album is astonishing. The playing is precise and clear at all times, as baroque music should be, but Mr Perahia manages to avoid a mechanical approach, injecting humanity into the music without sentimentality.
I could waffle on for ages but all you need to know is that this album is truly breathtaking and should be in every music lovers collection.
Heck buy two copies so you can keep one in the car permanently ;-)
Just a pity Handel and Scarlatti couldn´t hear it!¤ Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 4-Nov-2008, 074646278529, UBB-L7B-YWB-PVB-IBB-0MB-N0B-8 
Handel/Scarlatti: Murray Perahia Plays Handel & Scarlatti, Music, Image © Sony
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