Thomas Haigh: 6 Concertos for Harpsichord

Reviews

“Harbach’s playing is delightful, relentless, and in strict tempo when the music demands, backing off when her ‘solo’ parts come in with their only slightly varied lines. She performs each of the fast movements energetically, and the slow movements with considerable grace… [For anyone] looking for sheer joyous entertainment, you should obtain this excellent disc.”
Bertil van Boer, Issue 36:6, Fanfare [July/Aug 2013]

“Thomas Haigh (1769-c.1808) was an accomplished and well-regarded musician and composer in his day… His six concertos are designed to be performed as keyboard solos or with the accompaniment of two violins and cello. Harbach performs them as solos. I did not miss the strings on account of the beautiful Willard Martin harpsichord she plays…Well-recorded on this release, it has an incisive attack and a sweet, full decay… Haigh’s music is optimistic and lighthearted. He has a gentle sense of humor… His music also shows some traces of his British ancestry… Barbara Harbach plays with gracious enthusiasm. Lovers of Haydn’s music may be curious to hear how his gifted pupil put to use what must have been extraordinary lessons.”
Katz, American Record Guide [July/August 2013]

“[This is music] with a heavy reliance upon melodic ideas, of which Haigh seems proficient. The keyboard is demanding with a lot of technical wizardry required…. Haigh is a fine composer—and these are premiere recordings as well… classical period aficionados will find much interest here. Barbara Harbach sits atop these opuses with much authority and evident pleasure that comes across in these recordings. The sound of her Willard Martin 1989 harpsichord is rather bright and forceful, yet of a crystalline clarity. She projects Haigh’s intention with panache and an effortless sense of style.”
Steven Ritter, Audiophile Audition [May 2013]