CPE BACH - Andreas Staier
Mon, Oct 10 2011, 5:56PM
I loved the sound of the recent Andreas Staier CPE Bach award winner when a short extract was played on CD review this weekend. BUT looking on AMAZON some people suggest that the harpsichord-orchestra balance is heavily in favour of the orchestra. Does anyone who has this recording think it is a problem, before I shell out the cash. I like the harpsichord to sound like a strummed/plucked instrument and Staier seemed to achieve this. It sounded beautiful.
It's true it's not at all the perfect recording, but it's a very good addition to this marvelous composer's recording output. The performances are great, anyway, but the balance problem along with a rather mediocre overall recording exist.
I was surprised by this award, but I guess Gramophone rewards the good intentions, sometimes, not the end product.
(Maybe, the argument in favour could be that the harpsichord sounds like that in "live" performances", so we don't have to "enhance" its sound in the recording). Relativity of aspects of truth.
Parla