Italian

Christophe Rousset is one of the finest and most exciting harpsichordists, and as a conductor is a leader in the late 20th century revival of French Baroque music. For the tuning enthusiasts out there, this CD was recorded on a 1751 Henri Hemsch (Paris) harpsichord tuned in Werckmeister III temperament.

Here's a CD that lives up to its name and more. The Italian chamber repertory of the 17th century receives occasional performances, but it has rarely been as convincingly explored as it is here by veteran Baroque violinist Monica Huggett, leading small ensembles drawn from the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Huggett's biggest coup is simply her selection of unknown but superb repertoire. The Partia VI from the collection of trio sonatas titled Harmonia Artificiosa by Heinrich Biber (the "Italian" label for the music includes examples of Italian style from German lands) is sometimes played, although not as often as the composer's solo violin music; it is a rigorous but colorful exercise in scordatura (the use of unorthodox tunings).

Paganinis works for solo violin are among the most important and demanding in the repertoire. In addition to his famed Caprices Op. 1, Paganini wrote a series of characterful solo pieces that reveal his melodic and rhythmic gifts. Those selected here are little-known. Some, such as Alla Spagnola, the five waltzes and the Duetti, have only recently been rediscovered. Paganinis influence on Italian composers can be heard in the works he inspired from leading contemporaries and colleagues, where their preludes, caprices and études show the stylistic breadth and originality of Italian virtuosi. Violinist Marco Rogliano has appeared at the world's most important venues, including New Yorks Carnegie Hall, the Grosser Saal of Berlins Philharmonie, the Herkulessaal in Munich, and the Ciajkovskij Hall in Moscow. Particularly committed to Italian violin repertoire of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, his discography includes many world premieres of works by composers such as Paganini, Rolla, Respighi, Zanella and Sciarrino.

András Schiff is one of the best Bach players among Gould, Rosalyn Tureck and Wanda Landowska. On Schiff's French Suites, every part from every suite has a different color and gives you different feeling. Every harmony is taken to its end with care, and dynamic balance is always delightful to listen. Articulation of the notes is excellent, full of humour, and in some places you surely start to smile and you feel very happy when you listen to Schiff. He also plays the slow parts very deeply and warmly, which is for some artists a big problem when playing Bach. There are also Italian Concerto and French Overture on the CD's, played brilliantly, so this set is really worth buying. Recommended for everyone.