Something a bit on the unusual side today. The eminent French harpsichordist Robert Veyron-Lacroix performs the 32 Sonatas for keyboard by Domenico Cimarosa. I'm not sure of the date of this mono recording but I'd venture somewhere during the early 60's.
These sonatas do not adhere to sonata form as it would have been known, accepted, and employed during the late 18th century. In fact, these miniatures belong more to the model of sonata set forth by Domenico Scarlatti some 50-60 years earlier. And, though forte piano had pretty much displaced harpsichord, Cimarosa had harpsichord in mind when he wrote them and that makes it all the more fascinating to the ear. These are melodically interesting and do not require a lengthy attention span however that does not diminish the fine musical qualities of each of the pieces.
Robert Veyron-Lacroix is a well known name as he made scores of records, usually as an accompanist or chamber performer, and as a longtime member of the Orchestra Jean Francois Pailliard. His long, and fruitful, association with Jean Pierre Rampal is particularly notable since it yielded a treasure trove of excellent recorded performances of masterworks from the 17th and 18th century. Veyron-Lacroix is a sensible and sensitive artist and his scholarship and playing pretty much set the standard for future harpsichordists to aspire to.
Again, pleasant listening here, very suitable for a long day where te desire to listen is great but the nature of the listening should be..let's say "gentle."
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