Early Music News
The work [Purcell violin sonata] showcased
Gwilt's cleanly articulated lines in the Largo section and his
acute sense of rhythm in the dancing melodies of the Allegro
movement. Throughout the evening, Gwilt's technically facile
playing was always witty and expressive.
Musical Times
Star of the show is Richard Gwilt whose violin
playing is inventive without being quirky, and always well shaped
where others are routine.
Early Music
But what stands out most of all is the musical playing of violinist
Richard Gwilt: the rich honest and gutty sound he makes on his
Stainer violin stopped me in my tracks.
The Scotsman
Gwilt's interpretation of this elegant sonata was
well-drawn and very stylish.
www.musicweb.uk.net
(on London Baroque's latest release of Bach trio sonatas)
Bach's trio sonatas for organ are among his finest works. These pearls
are small-scale sonatas in three movements, which feature some of the
most delicate counterpoint in all of Bach's works (outside his fugues).
Written for three 'voices', two on the keyboard and one on the pedals,
they offer a vast horizon of carefully-sculpted melodies...
London Baroque presents a new recording of the trio sonatas arranged (by
Richard Gwilt) for their four-member ensemble. While the notes to this
disc spend a great deal of time justifying the idea of transcribing such
works, this defense is no longer necessary. The music speaks for itself.
From the very first notes on this disc, one can hear the fine quality of
the performance and the energy the musicians infuse into this recording.
The opening movement of the F major sonata is played with brio and
verve, and comes alive at a tempo which may seem surprising at first (a
bit faster than is usual on the organ), but which fits it perfectly. All
of the fast movements in these works feature this energy and drive,
while the slow movements, such as the slightly fugal lento of the G
major sonata, are highly introspective and subtle.
London Baroque play with such a perfect texture that this music seems to
have been written for their ensemble. The balance among the instruments
is almost perfect, and the music comes through in excellent harmony...
This fine recording is certainly one of the best Bach discs of the year.
London Baroque confirm their qualities as not only sensitive and
well-balanced, but also creative in these fine transcriptions. This is
an essential recording for Bach lovers, who will find new worlds of
feeling in music that is certainly familiar.
Kirk McElhearn