I stumbled across this recording in search of a version of this great piece performed on the piano. I had initially come to know it on the harpsichord and this performance really stood out to me. Listening to it in my car, as I do with classical music most frequently these days, I felt compelled to park, moved as deeply as I was with her performance. The way she interprets the minor key section in the middle of the piece (beginning at 4:03), the emotional heart of the work, is magnificent. She dials back completely from the previous major key section, quiet enough that one can easily hear coughs in the audience (live performance!), giving us time for some introspection in response to the strong change of mood. However, as the minor key variations continue in their clean highly formal manner characteristic of Handels keyboard works, her playing gradually builds in intensity, reaching the moment of decisive change of attack in the variation where left and right unite in rhythmic unison. A few more variations in the minor key, then an burst of flight into the major key, light airy, elegant. Relief, joy and contentment. Light at the end of the tunnel. Paradise.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 05:32:18 +0000
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