French harpsichordist Frédérick Haas has made a name for himself with an aristocratic, pensive style more attuned to introspection than pyrotechnics. He has a profound knowledge of the inner workings of harpsichords and the secrets of their fine-tuning, and wrote the quirky booklet note for this release. Haas performs recitals on both harpsichord and fortepiano, plus he directs the Ausonia Ensemble. He owns the spellbindingly beautiful 1751 Henri Hemsch Harpsichord used on this recording of Bach's immortal Goldberg Variations. On using a French harpsichord for a decidedly German work, Hass explains, "Since the 1751 Hemsch is one of the most beautiful harpsichords in existence and its tone and mechanics are perfect, why not use it here? The interpreter's role is to make sure his French harpsichord speaks decent German." Hass' future recordings for La Dolce Volta will include Bach's English Suites and French Suites.
