“

These pieces by are perfectly suited to the clavichord. Recordings dedicated to the French repertoire on this instrument remain rare. In this, Charlston offers us something new. Charlston completely masters the charm of this intimate tone, close to the lute. And his interpretation combines melancholy, spontaneity and elegance, according to the mood of the movements, with a quality of touch essential in such music. Something to delight lovers of historical instruments.

” —Adelaide de Place

“

Clavichords are notoriously difficult to play well. Terence Charlston’s performance is miracu­lous, with everything perfectly in place; yet it does not sound cautious. This is top-level work. The result is one of the best clavi­chord albums I have ever heard. The sound, historical essays, photography, and the booklet production are deluxe in every way. There is nothing more to say… buy this.

” —Bradley Lehman

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This is a very important disc, one which deserves to be taken very seriously. The performances are beyond criticism, as is the clear and natural recording quality.

” —Emily Allison

“

This is a unique recording in that for the first time we hear a clavichord in French keyboard music. It is also a groundbreaking recording … because of the possible impact on the approach to French harpsichord music in general. The programme is well put together, including many pieces which are unknown and are played according to the performance habits of the time. Charlston once again proves to be a very stylish and sensitive interpreter. His performances here are simply superb. I should not forget to acknowledge the efforts of the technical staff which has managed to make the clavichord sound very natural. Ample reasons to label this disc Recording of the Month.

” —Johan van Veen

“

Terence Charlston’s new CD of 16th and 17th century French keyboard music combines delight and illumination to an uncommon degree. Charlston’s playing is sure and vivacious throughout; the recorded sound is detailed and warm. The liner notes are unusually generous. Highly recommended!

” —Paul Rabin

“

Throughout the recordings, Charlston’s careful attention to details of articulation and ornamentation is impressive, and the range of dynamics he draws from the instrument should convince the most sceptical of the potential of the clavichord. This CD is an excellent introduction to this repertoire, much of which is still largely unexplored and unrecorded; it will appeal not only to the specialist performer but also to those non-players who are keen to expand their knowledge of less familiar repertoire.

” —John Collins

“

This is a remarkably entrancing disc. Charlston extracts so many fine sounds, lovely sonorities and ear catching timbres from this remarkable instrument. This is a terrific survey of French music of the 16th and 17th century refracted through an instrument of many fascinating and attractive qualities. The recording is ideal; the microphones set perfectly with much detail and intimacy. There are excellent detailed notes by Terence Charlston as well as a beautifully produced and illustrated booklet full of facsimiles of the music and photos of the instrument. It is terrific that Divine Art continues to bring us such treasures as this.

” —Bruce Reader

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Charlston’s playing throughout is sensitive to the music as well as to the instrument, drawing maximum expressive power from each on every track. The sound of Bavington’s instrument is lute-like, with marked differences in the various registers, the whole blending into a color spectrum that provides great clarity and definition to the music presented on this recording. The recorded sound is clear and lifelike – indeed, the entire production is a model for recordings of this kind.This disc is not only beautiful, it is important.

” —Gregory Crowell

“

Peter Bavington has made a splendid specimen [of the clavichord]. One can not remain indifferent to the enveloping sound of this instrument. Passionate and at the same time reflective in his playing, Terence Charlston expresses in this recording a total act of love towards this so delicate and particular keyboard.

” —Andrea Bedetti

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This is more than just an historical documentation, for the various works are drawn from a wide variety of sources. The result is a slow meandering of over a century and a half of music that is rarely, if ever, on a program. Charlston’s playing is skillful and interesting, with discrete and appropriate ornamentation and a knack for never obscuring the melody, no matter what sort of counterpoint is going on.

” —Bertil van Boer

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This CD by Terence Charlston is more than just a recording: it reflects a research project in a field which has been to date largely neglected. The sound of the clavichord is impressive. This is clavichord playing as it should be. A highly recommended landmark recording.

” —Paul Simmonds

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The important thing about this disc is that the instrument used is a reconstruction of a clavichord as it was described by one Marin Mersenne in 1637. This pleases me because what I hear on this CD is as close I am going to get to hearing what they heard back then. The booklet is packed with information about the instrument, the composers, and the selections. I can picture music departments wanting a copy of this very interesting collection.

” —Frank Behrens

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I confess that I’m a sucker for the clavichord. Its sound is limited and idiosyncratic but definitely charming … clavichordist Terence Charlston uses the instrument’s radically limited expressive range to full effect.

” —Rick Anderson

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This pleasant album is more important for scholars of music and keyboard buffs than your casual listener, though it’s a nice enough collection. It’s got a nice early music feel to it…it’s a music geek’s delight, as Charlston plays music of the period, recreating a sound that has probably not been heard for several hundred years: it’s how early French keyboard music would have sounded to the audiences of the day. You’ve got to admire the energy behind the enterprise.

” —Jeremy Condliffe