Penguin Guide Rosette Winners

“If he lacked the audacious imagination of his teacher, Scarlatti, there are delights to be found among Soler's harpsichord sonatas. Gilbert Rowland, playing a resonant French harpsichord, is an eloquent advocate for this predominantly cheerful repertoire.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2007 ****

“Gilbert Rowland's playing...can be both brilliant and expressive, with nicely formed trills which end firmly and under rhythmic control.” Early Music Review

“One of the marvelous things about this set is how fresh and personal each of Rowland's performances is (Nov/Dec 1996). Of course, Soler makes the job somewhat easier because his sonatas are so varied. In this volume I was impressed by No. 118 (with textures that sound as if they've come straight out of the orchestral music in the opera house) and the more intimate and lyrical movement from No. 95 (the only sonata on the disc that is in several movements). Rowland makes the right response to every emotional nuance of the music, and the harpsichord (by Robin Jennings after one by Taskin) is a great instrument for his artistry. Fine, concert-like sound.” American Record Guide, January/February 2000

“Rowland's Soler set has reached Volume 6, with Sonatas 4 (G), 56 (F), 70 and 71 (A minor), 96 (E-flat), 100 and 103 (C minor), 102- 104 (D minor), 109 (F), and 111 (D). His performance standards are still on a high level. The interpretations are lively and exuberant. Three high points for me: the F-major Sonata (109 in Rubio's numbering system), with its gracious, Mozartean lilt; 70 in A minor with its restless energy and sparkling passages in parallel thirds; and Sonata 71 with its unexpected but expressive rubato. The instrument is a two-manual harpsichord by Robert Deegan after Pascal Taskin. The sound is fine and there are informative liner notes.” American Record Guide, September/October 2000

“The harpsichordist Gilbert Rowland has now recorded both Scarlatti and Soler. He clearly has a command of their very particular Spanish idiom, which presupposes a formidable command of style, considerable virtuosity and a keen sense of humour.” Gramophone