275 CD / Scarlatti: Complete piano sonatas Vol. 8
Description
Sometimes time flies by. For example, when something stimulating happens all the time, as here with the new volume No. 8 of the complete recording of all 555 sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. And not because of the two organ sonatas, which are actually played here on an organ, nor because of the acoustics at the new recording venue Marienmünster.
Once again, Christoph Ullrich is exclusively responsible for these stimuli, and he knows how to shape these gems, which seem to have been written for him, with such never-ending imagination, exuberant ideas, nuances that always seem spontaneous but are nevertheless carefully woven, that two hours go by like two shooting stars.
Further information about the Scarlatti Project.
Christoph Ullrich on Youtube: Sonata in g moll K 8, Allegro and Sonata in C major, K 487, Allegro
2 reviews for 275 CD / Scarlatti: Complete piano sonatas Vol. 8
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Klassik heute –
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Artistic quality: 10 out of 10
Sound quality: 10 out of 10
Overall impression: 10 out of 10
Christoph Ulrich's monumental undertaking of recording all 555 piano sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) enters a new round: the present double CD unites the sonatas which, according to the counting of all of Domenico Scarlatti's harpsichord sonatas by the American harpsichord virtuoso Ralph Kirkpatrick (1911-1984), bear the numbers 266-295. Owners of the complete Scarlatti edition by Christoph Ulrich will one day be able to investigate the meaning of the arrangement of this monumental oeuvre by Ralph Kirkpatrick, one of the important pioneers of the resurrection of baroque harpsichord music on the instrument intended for it, on the basis of the numbers of the individual volumes of these integrals.
Sparkling universe in appointed hands
It takes staying power and an artistically firm grasp of Scarlatti's musical vision behind his piano music to translate such an undertaking, piece by piece, into a pianistic truth that does justice to this pioneer of 18th century "clavier music" on the instrument that serves Christoph Ulrich as the medium of his artistic communication. In this way he remains committed to his artistic point of departure, to which he has attached himself to his long project, so that here the characterization as "life accompaniment" seems quite appropriate.
Excursion into the world of the organ
This release contains two sonatas performed on the organ; in view of the also quite secular aspect of baroque organ music, which we owe especially to G. F. Handel and his organ concertos, it would be premature to see sacred works in these two sonatas - nevertheless, they present a tonal aspect that allows the music of Domenico Scarlatti for keyboard instrument to shine in a different and fascinating facet. Yet the elegance and profundity of Scarlatti's inventiveness remains absolutely fascinating even in this sonic guise.
Sonic brilliance
Even though the previous releases in this series have already exhibited excellent sonic characteristics thanks to the masterful recording technique, an outstanding mention of this parameter of a comprehensively successful production is also worth mentioning this time.
(Detmar Huchting)
Pizzicato –
Unabated Good
In his complete recording of the piano sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, Christoph Ullrich has arrived with Volume 8 at the sonatas K. 266-295. This also includes two organ sonatas. Christoph Ullrich, plays the program technically flawless, with a lot of imagination, smooth, rich in nuances, very spontaneous. The pianist has maintained this quality unabated for eight releases now. (Remy Franck)
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