Search - Kirby, Parle, London Baroq :: In Vauxhall Gardens

Not Disappointing, Really

N. Chevalier | Regina, Sask. Canada | 01/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the problems with this "star" system of reviews is that one can be tied to a numerical value for something as subjective as a reviewer's opinion. That's certainly the case with the previous review--I take the reviewer's criticisms about the sound (and, BTW, a lot of EMI classical recordings suffer from that--I could play you some abysmal Angel LPs in my collection that make concert bootlegs sound good) and--perhaps--Emma Kirkby's unsuitability for *Armida Abbandonata* seriously--but TWO STARS? That's a little harsh in my books. This is a fine disc--not as energetic as, say, something from Europa Galante (but then the music doesn't lend itself to Fabio Biondi's fireworks, either), but certainly pleasant enough and well worth having. The music here is what counts, and is good enough to stand even some lacklustre playing. Boyce's Concerto Grosso is a highlight here, along with the Abel aria and the Arne cantata mentioned in the previous review. It's not really a four-star disc, either, but I'm hoping Amazon will average the two reviews and put it at three stars--about where it should be. If you pay attention to such things, that is."