By LD87380
13-May-2010

Reviews from American Record Guide and Strings Magazine  

"The Lyrichord set of sonatas and trios is unusual because instead of using a piano, or even a fortepiano, the keyboard part is played by a harpsichord, an instrument that had fallen pretty much out of use by Beethoven's time. Harpsichordist Elaine Comparone makes an exuberant case in her liner notes for using the harpsichord instead of piano, suggesting that the harpsichord's plucked strings blend better with the violin and cello than the hammer-struck strings of the piano. She also mentions that the harpsichord's smaller sound cannot drown out the sounds of the violin and cello. My feeling is that she simply wanted to play this music and felt that her instrument could add something unique to it. It is clear that she is having the time of her life let loose in the expressive realm of the early 19th Century, in the company of two very fine string players...The overall color of the harpsichord-crowned ensemble shines a whole new light on a very familiar piece, and the sheer joy that Comparone seems to take in playing Beethoven on her instrument gives the reading a feeling of freshness and even a little naughtiness."? ??

-Elaine Fine?, THE AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE? November/December 2009????

...??Initially sturdy results give rise to curiosity, then engagement, as if the players were clearing the aural palate. Suddenly, a veil seems to lift and, in particular, the two piano trios give rise to charming stylistic fantasies, impossible with the modern piano, in which harmonic layers and instrumental colors coexist with almost indecent transparency to serve some of the first transparency to serve some of the first stirrings of Beethoven's proud and forceful personality."??

- Laurence Vittes?, STRINGS?, NOVEMBER 2009
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