Soler: 13 Sonatas

Soler 13 Sonatas
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Artist: Richard Lester, Padre Antonio Soler
Genre: Classical
Label: Nimbus Records

The keyboard sonatas of the Spanish priest Padre Antonio Soler (1729-83) are often compared to the much more celebrated sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti. There's a capricious playfulness and a willingness to engage in harmonic adventure that are reminiscent of Scarlatti. And many of Soler's sonatas add to the mix a distinctive Spanish tinge which gives them a strong earworm catchiness. Richard Lester's selection is unhackneyed and gives a good impression of the range of Soler's achievement. His playing style is more deliberate than flamboyant, and this does limit the vigour of his performances. There's a fun extra on the disc, a performance with David Ponsford of Lester's arrangement for two harpsichords of the celebrated Fandango from a Boccherini quintet with guitar. url.ie/6c45

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan is a music critic and Irish Times contributor