Rating: 5/5
Review:
An excellent release
This is yet another excellent release from Christophe
Rousset. Somewhat to my shame, I hadn't
heard of Balbastre but I'm willing to try anything that Rousset records and I'm
very glad I did.
Balbastre published these pieces in 1757 and they clearly
show the influence of the Baroque era which was coming to its close. They don't show anything like the
contrapuntal genius of Bach, for example, or the melodic and harmonic gifts of
Handel – but then very few composers' work does. They are enjoyable, neatly turned pieces
which certainly deserve to be recorded and heard.
It is Rousset's playing which really makes this a top-class
disc. He has been a magnificent
harpsichordist for decades now and his experience, technique and genuine love
and feeling for this music shine through, lifting it well above the
ordinary. His harpsichord (by Goujon in
the early 18th Century) sounds simply wonderful, with a full,
resonant depth and the whole thing is a pleasure.
In short, this is a fine release of decent music made really
good by a brilliant player and a lovely instrument. Very warmly recommended.
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