Murray Perahia - Murray Perahia plays Handel and Scarlatti (1997) CD-Rip

This disc received the 1998 Cannes Classical Music Awards for "Record of the Year" and "Best Instrumental Solo or Chamber Performance - 17th/18th Centuries." It also received the 1997 Gramophone magazine award for "Best Instrumental Recording," was Gramophone's "Recording of the Month" for May 1997, and was nominated for the 1998 Grammy Award for "Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra)."
Murray Perahia is one of the great all-around pianists. His mastery of musical form, his perfectly attenuated tone, and his burnished technique place the whole literature in his grasp. His recordings of Bach threaten to put Bach "specialists" out of business. Here his readings of two other giants of the Baroque immediately take their place in the forefront of available recordings.
The Handel is noble--the composer's characteristic poise emerges in the dance movements of the suites, and the Chaconne is splendid for its virtuosity and invention. Perahia has a special affinity for Scarlatti as well. One might have guessed that his friendship with Vladimir Horowitz would have carried some influence--perhaps it did, but the Scarlatti of Perahia does not run as riot with color, nor is it fractured by eccentric tempi or accents. It's typical Perahia: consistent and consistently great. The slower sonatas fare especially well and are preferable to the weirdness of Mikhail Pletnev.
Fine notes (by esteemed harpsichordist and Scarlatti authority, Igor Kipnis) and great sound make this a must-have.