Scarletti too monophonic? What about Gibbons?

[aq094@lafn.org (Eugene Selig)]

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.