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Scarletti too monophonic? What about Gibbons?
Neil Tingley suggests that GG rejected Scarlatti because the music wasn't
countrapuntal. Actually, S. employed imitative writing (one hand
repeating the line of the other hand, but lagging it by a few beats or
bars), and there are even some sonatas in actual fugual style. GG would
have treated any of the 550 pieces by S. as though they were
contrapuntal, i.e., bringing out "voices" even when they did not exist
thematically.
But, recalling his "Silver Anniversary" recording, as well as other
sources, GG's FAVORITE composer was Orlando Gibbons, the English Tudor
composer. His works are quite homophonic and very similar texturally to
the S. sonatas. Again, in typical Gould manner, inner "voices" are
emphasized. Read some reviews of GG's playing, where this habit of
attempting to simulate polyphony is noted.
I think that beside my previously stated opinion about GG's unwillingness
to play a Horowitz speciality, the Italianate personality was too remote
from his own. His singling out of the obscure Gibbons, even calling him the
composer with whom he "most identifies," supports this. Gibbons' style is
elegant, with emotion in check. Keep in mind, GG's Scarlatti was never
praised. Indeed, he really missed the vivaciousness of the music, playing
it perfunctorily, as was his habit with music he didn't love.