There’s only one problem with this otherwise excellently played and recorded program: a certain lack of dynamic range that makes all of the slow movements come across as a bit too loud. To some degree this is a general limitation of the harpsichord itself, and it must be said in this respect that Francesco Cera plays an attractive-sounding instrument, with a bright, clean tone that’s never excessively clattery or fatiguing. Indeed, his clarity of articulation even at a propulsive main tempo, as in the first movement of the D minor concerto, is thoroughly admirable, but I would have liked a touch less aggression especially in the slow movements of the two major-key works. Diego Fasolis and the string players of I Barocchisti deliver precise, boldly phrased accompaniments, and their timbre isn’t “authentic” in an annoying sense. In the allegros these performances really are exciting. So if you’re looking for this coupling in vivid surround-sound, you should consider this release.
