Seasoned readers of this site will remember the famous Polish harpsichordist, Wanda Landowska. If not ‘live’ (she died in 1959), then surely from her many recordings. Has the Latvian Tatjana Vorobjova inherited her style and musical personality? It crossed my mind once more when listening to this fourth release of this exceptionally gifted harpsichordist on MDG. Many years ago, when she recorded Mozart’s keyboard concerti Op. 107, released on the Amati label (Mozart, Bach, JC: Concertante Werke - Le Parnasse Musical), she left me with the impression of having listened to Wanda’s incarnation. And now, some twenty years on, she’s back again with an exquisite recital, ‘Le clavecin poétique’, including some lesser-known but all the same hugely attractive works.

The difference between Wanda Landowska and Tatjana Vorobjova is that where Wanda brought the harpsichord, swept away by the increasingly more powerful piano development, back to the concert hall, Tatjana grew up in a ‘historically informed practice’ world where that instrument had become common currency. Besides, the Ruckers 1624 built harpsichord, which Tatjana plays in this recording, made available by the Unterlinden Museum, Colmar, France, is not one of those faint-hearted salon harpsichords but an expertly restored concert instrument with a beautifully robust soundboard.

Tatjana observes in her notes about the history of the Ruckers 1624 that it has “ .. the incredibly versatile broad range of sound and rich expressive possibilities ..”. I cannot but agree. It creates an impressive musical palette in her “poetic voyage through the repertoire from the history of the now 400-year-old harpsichord ..”

Without any attempt at being patronising, I find Tatjana’s choices apt to be a perfect companion for an entertaining soirée. The more so, because she refrains from trying to impress the listener to the maximum, whilst nonetheless conveying her love for the instrument in an inimitable fashion. Virtuosity, which she commands unlimitedly, is secondary to a translucent interpretation. Isn’t that the ultimate hallmark of a true musician?

The excellent recording is close, so be careful with the volume.

Blangy-le-Château, Normandy, France.

Copyright © 2025 Adrian Quanjer and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Multichannel):