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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.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Aria
Variatio 1. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 2. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 3. Canone all'Unisuono a 1 Clav.
Variatio 4. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 5. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
Variatio 6. Canone alla Seconda. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 7. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
Variatio 8. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 9. Canzone alla Terza. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 10. Fughetta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 11. a Clav.
Variatio 12. Canone alla Quarta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 13. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 14. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 15. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 16. Ouverture. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 17. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 18. Canone alla Sexta. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 19. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 20. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 22. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 23. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 24. Canone all´ Ottava. a 1 Clav.
Variatio 25. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 26. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 28. a 2 Clav.
Variatio 29. a 1 o vero 2 Clav.
Variatio 30. Quodlibet. a 1 Clav.
Aria da capo
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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