Rating: 4/5
Review:
An enjoyable arrangement
This is an arrangement of the Goldberg Variations for two
violas da gamba which I approached with some scepticism because even the great
Fretwork couldn't really make the Goldbergs work on viols. This recording does have its limitations, but
it actually works better than I expected.
This was originally a set of pieces for keyboard, of course,
and the two gambas are a little limited in their ability to create complex
harmonies and also in their nimbleness in the really quick, light
passages. This does show in places –
Variation 8, for example – but the overall sound is magnificent and much of the
disc is very enjoyable.
The playing by Strauf and Harders is very good and the
recorded sound really captures the full resonant beauty of the two gambas. It may not be a classic rendition of the Goldbergs,
but this is an enjoyable disc which I can recommend.
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