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Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Played by Blandine Verlet
Discussions
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Goldbergs by Blandine Verlet - first impressions |
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Kirk McElhearn wrote (March 26, 2001):
I just got a box set of Blandine Verlet's recordings. It's a budget set containing the Goldbergs, the WTC and a recording of Fantasies, Toccatas and Fugues.
The Goldbergs are surprising. I don't understand why some performers think the music isn't good enough, and need to add more. Schiff does this as well. Verlet's technique is quite good, the instrument is extraordinary, but I am a bit annoyed by the notes she has added - for instance, there is a chromatic passing note added in one run in the ouverture that doesn't fit.
She is ornamenting a great deal, a la Koopman. Ok, this is a French harpsichordist, so she is playing in the French style. But it is a bit strange, since most of the other recordings I have don't ornament as much.
Also, the tempi are strange - the aria is very fast at the start, leading one to expect a Gouldian performance. But, the first variation is a much more normal tempo.
I'll give some more opinions after a more thorough listening... I'm not disappointed, but a bit surprised. This said, perhaps I should open myself to such interpretations... |
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Donald Satz wrote (March 26, 2001):
[To Kirk McElhearn] Verlet's opening aria is not to my liking, but she handles it better in the aria da capo. I think her best work is in the following variations: 3, 19, 21, 28, 29, and 30. Overall, I find that I like her set more with each listening and place it at the level of Hantai and Gilbert. |
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Kirk McElhearn wrote (March 26, 2001):
[To Donald Satz] I agree that the aria da capo is much better, it is slower and much longer.
This said, I listened to her WTC this afternoon, while working (not paying too much attention), and it sounds wonderful, both the playing and the Ruckers...
You don't have that one, do you? (At least you didn't include it in your recent comparison...) |
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