Sonatas

"Of the five instruments represented in this set, the accordion is the only one devoid of strings. The absence of string overtones and sympathetic vibrations results in distinctive, lucid sound here complemented by the excellent recording; it also allows another 'acoustic vision' into the texture of the music, and the various parts.

The initial reaction on hearing this CD is akin to that of hearing Piazzolla Tangos on a recorder (Michala Petri: Our Recordings 8 226900), or if accustomed to hearing saxophone playing jazz, the first experience of hearing it in a classical music context: in known territory: everything sounds unfamiliar and disorientated.

Another surprise awaits those who have not heard Scarlatti sonatas played by Akin Unver on a multi-stringed instrument called the chapman stick (listen). This is further illustration of the versatility, quality and adaptability of this music.

If your hi-fi set is of sufficient standard, the mechanical sounds of the accordion buttons will be clearly audible. Some may find this distracting in the same way that the fingers moving on the bass strings of the guitar create squeaking sounds. Despite the common belief that this is a deficiency in technique, in reality it is an intrinsic part of the guitar and to some degree present on all guitar recordings, even by the Maestros.

This set offers a unique and spell-binding adventure into the sonatas of Scarlatti. "
(MusicWeb Aug 2013)