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Special offer. Bach, J S: Goldberg Variations, BWV988

Blandine Verlet (harpsichord Hemsch, 1751)

Verlet's brisk opening Aria belies the measured, tastefully embellished, lucid Bachian adventure that unfolds. Gallic flair gilds the French 'Ouverture', but Variation No. 23 sounds pedantic...

Special offer. Bach, J S: Goldberg Variations, BWV988

Blandine Verlet (harpsichord Hemsch, 1751)

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44.1 kHz, 24 bit, FLAC/ALAC/WAV

Original price ($17.50) Reduced price $12.25

44.1 kHz, 16 bit, FLAC/ALAC/WAV

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320 kbps, MP3

Original price ($10.00) Reduced price $7.00

This release includes a digital booklet

Stream now Hi-RES 44.1 kHz, 24 bit
Verlet's brisk opening Aria belies the measured, tastefully embellished, lucid Bachian adventure that unfolds. Gallic flair gilds the French 'Ouverture', but Variation No. 23 sounds pedantic...

About

Blandine Verlet, the noted French harpsichordist, studied with Ruggiero Gerlin and Ralph Kirkpatrick. She began recording in the late 1970s for Philips, switching to the Astree label in the 1990s. Her recordings range from J.S. Bach's keyboard works to Froberger to lesser known composers such as Louis Couperin and Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre. This, her second recording of the Goldbergs, has been called "one of the finest harpsichord versions in the catalogue."

With violinist Gerard Poulet she has recorded early violin sonatas by Mozart, using the older Baroque keyboard instruments rather than a fortepiano or modern piano. Verlet has also worked with flautist Stephen Preston and viola da gambist Jordi Savall. Her playing is noted for her control and restraint in not letting emotion carry her away. Recently recommended by Diapason as their 'Desert Island' Goldbergs, now at mid price.

Contents and tracklist

Aria
Track length2:52
Variatio 1. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:09
Variatio 2. a 1 Clav.
Track length1:53
Variatio 3. Canone all'Unisuono a 1 Clav.
Track length2:45
Variatio 4. a 1 Clav.
Track length1:14
Variatio 5. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
Track length1:53
Variatio 6. Canone alla Seconda. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:02
Variatio 7. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
Track length1:59
Variatio 8. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:07
Variatio 9. Canzone alla Terza. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:07
Variatio 10. Fughetta. a 1 Clav.
Track length1:38
Variatio 11. a Clav.
Track length1:58
Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:59
Variatio 13. a 2 Clav.
Track length4:20
Variatio 14. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:09
Variatio 15. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav.
Track length3:55
Variatio 16. Ouverture. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:52
Variatio 17. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:05
Variatio 18. Canone alla Sexta. a 1 Clav.
Track length1:48
Variatio 19. a 1 Clav.
Track length1:24
Variatio 20. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:28
Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:38
Variatio 22. a 1 Clav.
Track length1:53
Variatio 23. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:28
Variatio 24. Canone all´ Ottava. a 1 Clav.
Track length3:14
Variatio 25. a 2 Clav.
Track length5:17
Variatio 26. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:22
Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:15
Variatio 28. a 2 Clav.
Track length2:27
Variatio 29. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
Track length2:32
Variatio 30. Quodlibet. a 1 Clav.
Track length2:01
Aria da capo
Track length3:28

Awards and reviews

November 2012

Verlet's brisk opening Aria belies the measured, tastefully embellished, lucid Bachian adventure that unfolds. Gallic flair gilds the French 'Ouverture', but Variation No. 23 sounds pedantic rather than playful.
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