Rameau: The Virtuoso Harpsichord Vol I - Anton Heiller

For Sankerib, and his new-found interest in the harpsichord.

Anton Heiller became known to the American public as a continuo player, as well as organ solist, on various Bach Guild recordings in which he was closely identified with German repertory. Actually, he was a masterful player of any keyboard instrument and performed a broad range of works. He made two stunning CDs of French harpsichord music in the late 1950s, and this CD reissue on Seymour Solomon's new "hand-picked" Amadeus label is one of those (the other is devoted to the music of Couperin and should be in stores by the time you read this). He plays musically and with exceptional energy and verve, using clean and crisp articulation to remind one of the dance origins of most of this music. The compilation presents some delightful entries, sort of a "greatest hits" as far as Rameau goes, including the ever-popular "La Poule" and the even more famous "Tambourin," which is played here with stunning, virtuoso abandon. There are no notes on the instrument used, but it might well look like the rather large, two manual one on the album cover, and it sports a nicely variable palette of instrumental colors. The recording is close-up and has excellent detail, yet no lack of warmth. This CD makes an excellent introduction to French Baroque keyboard music.
Rad Bennett (ClassicsToday)

Now out of print.