Domenico Scarlatti Michael Lewin - Scarlatti Complete Keyboard Sonatas Vol 2 (19 tracks) +Album Reviews

MORE SENSATIONAL SCARLATTI

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 06/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this second installment of Naxos' ongoing complete Scarlatti sonatas series, Mr. Lewin takes over where Eteri Andjaparidze (the glorious pianist of Volume One) leaves off, and his playing is every bit as engaging and fresh as his predecessor. And, again, we have a wonderful mix of familiar and not-so-familiar Scarlatti, recorded sound that nears perfection, and a generous collection of nineteen gems.

As with his counterpart, Mr. Lewin's technique silences critcism at every turn; it is simply fabulous, yet always at the service of the composer. What I hear is grand, youthful enthusiasm, as in the Sonata in E (L. 375), that is infectious and thrilling; yet, this youthful fervor can turn completely introspective and nostalgic, as in the gorgeous Sonata in D Minor (L. 108) that runs for eight minutes.

Lewin is a pianist of no small insight; he can be as incisive as he can be tender--- and he is never less than incredibly spontaneous-sounding. Listen to his playing of the Sonata in A (L. 483), made popular by Horowitz. Can you imagine more divergent approaches? Where the "grand old pianist" attacks the notes, Mr. Lewin caresses them--- and the effect is telling.

Other wonders in the collection are the Sonatas in A Minor (L. 138) and F Minor (L. 187); but it's really unfair to single out individual sonatas, actually, because they are all exceptionally fine, beautifully-articulated and moving performances.

[Running time: 76:16]"

Michael Lewin earns distinction as Scarlatti intepreter.

Nancy Moran | Baltimore, Maryland USA | 10/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is in serious contrast to vol. 1 Scarlatti of the same series. A lot less pedal. A lot more staccato particularly in the fast sections. A lot more legato in the slow ones. Up tempo all the way. Lewin is abstemious with dynamics but he uses them well. He has an innate feel for rhythms. There is clarity to the sound. You can tell the left from the right hand throughout. Lewin does not let the embellishments overshadow the melody, and he deftly puts the piano in place of the harpsichord, making the most of the more advanced instrument. This vol. 2 of the Scarlatti series is a pleasure to hear."

Great disc for a great price

Nancy Moran | 07/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set of Scarlatti sonatas, played by American pianist Michael Lewin, is a great introduction to the composer's music. The works presented here encompass a wide variety of moods, each brilliantly realized by Lewin, ranging from the soul-searching intensity of the Sonata in D minor, K. 213, to the light-hearted playfulness of the Sonata in G major, K. 146. The listener really gets a good sense of the composer's unique style. Also, the sound on this recording captures Lewin's beautiful tone perfectly. Naxos has again provided us with an amazing bargain, with seventy six minutes of playing time for only six dollars. It is no wonder that this disc is highly recommended in the Gramophone Guide, one of the leading authorities on classical music."

Michael Lewin Plays Scarlatti Sonatas

Robin Friedman | Washington, D.C. United States | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Domenico Scarlatti's over 550 short keyboard sonatas include worlds in miniature. In their gaiety and charm, these works have more capacity to inspire than many more ponderous, facially serious, compositions. I find it inspiring as well that Scarlatti's sonatas are the product of his middle and old age. There is hope for those of us that come into their own late in life!

The budget Naxos label is in the process of recording a complete set of the Scarlatti sonatas on the piano with each volume performed by a different pianist. Although I prefer this music on the harpsichord, this series is an outstanding way to get to know Scarlatti. Those who love this composer will want to have some performances of the sonatas on both instruments.

Volume 2 of the series features the American pianist Michael Lewin. Mr. Lewin has a wide-ranging repertoire. He has recorded two volumes of the piano music of Charles Tomlinson Griffes for Naxos as well as a volume of the music of Louis Gottschalk. His perfomance of Scarlatti is agressive, virtuosic and forthright. He emphasizes both the percussive qualities of the piano as well as the instrument's ability to play both loudly and softly His approach to Scarlatti can be contrasted with pianist's Eteri Andjaparidze's much more restrained, softer approach in volume 1 of this series. (Ms. Andjaparidze's reading is lovely as well. This series of Scarlatti sonatas shows eloquently that there are many different ways to interpret music.)

Lewin's program on this disk consists of 19 sonatas ranging from among the earliest of the Sonatas, K. 3 in A minor to some of the latest, K. 517 in D minor. The collection is almost evenly divided between major and minor key works, with ten in the former category and nine in the latter.

Many of the sonatas show the meditative, lyrical side of Scarlatti. In particular, the CD includes three rather lengthy works, K. 213 in D minor, K. 109 in A minor and K. 481 in F minor in a slow, reflective cast. The disk is full of contrasting gay and lively works as well, including the Sonatas in G major, K. 14, and K. 146, the Sonata in A major, K. 39, the Sonata in D major, K. 492, and the sonata in D. minor, K 517 which concludes the CD. I enjoyed especially the slower, more elaborate pieces. I also enjoyed the Sonata in B minor, K27 with its haunting bell-like tone and the big piano sound Lewin brings to this work. This early work had been unfamiliar to me, unlike many of the other pieces on the CD.

This CD will delight lovers of Scarlatti and will form an appealing introduction to his work for new listeners.

"

The best kind of bargain

Eloi | Ely, NV USA | 03/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only do you get 76 minutes with 19--count 'em--sonatas, many of the sonatas get great performances by Lewin. Yes, I agree with an earlier reviewer that the performance of K 213 is beautiful. Other gems include a boffo K 141 with speed to burn yet clearer articulation than I've ever heard in one of the best-known "virtuoso" sonatas. But the real surprise was the sonata that precedes K 141, K 436 in D major. "The village orchestra ... the trumpets" is straight from Kirkpatrick. And I can hear them, but there is a rhythmic trick with the shifting length of the left-hand scale passages, and Lewin totally gets it. K 209 is another hit. There are a few duds--K 32 sounds like a sarabande rather than a minuet, and K 27 is a bit too hammered-out, too (despite the program notes) aggressive.

Yeah, those notes. This album gets A+ for program, performance, and acoustics--it was recorded at Town Hall. But here's a sample of the program notes: "[K 20 in E major] is notable for the thirds in the second half, a device Scarlatti often used to confuse the rhythmic and harmonic sense of the hearer." Say wha? The performance of K 20, though, is crisp and clear, very similar to that of Pogorelich.

I love the series; I've heard the first six volumes, and Lewin's is the best so far.

"

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