(Grigory Sokolov | 2022 | Live) Purcell: Suite & Chaconne

Looking back at 2022, I can easily name the greatest musical experience I had. I’ve dearly loved the Purcells Grigory Sokolov is playing this season. His selection consists of 17 pieces, which make up three keyboard suites, a group of pieces of folk-like character, a Chaconne, a very English Ground, as well as a minor surprise I’ll let remain such for those who haven’t yet heard the programme. As music the works are almost entirely biphonic, and the pieces within the suites came across more like poetry than music (aside from the preludes, which are just that, like Händel’s). Throughout they betray a spirit of rare gentleness and nobility, whose keyboard music is unusually intimate, more narrating than melodious, and lamentably ’underworked’ compared to that of his French and German counterparts. That notwithstanding it shows every sign of coming from a great composer. He speaks and recites wonderfully in the G minor Corant, shows ability for complex thought in the following Saraba