Of course, one is very grateful to have
Christophe Rousset's splendid Bach recording re-released. It was in its day -- and its day was in 1992 -- one of the most exciting and challenging recordings of Bach's harpsichord works in circulation, with a thrilling Italian Concerto, a rousing French Overture, a delightful Duetti (4), and a frightening and exhilarating Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue. But 1992 was a long, long time ago and
Rousset's superlative Bach recording has been out of print for almost a decade. One could, of course, question if the concept of "The Rosette Collection" is a good thing. After all, a series of reissues dedicated to the proposition that cross-promotion between a classical label and the magazine that reviews its discs might cause one to question the probity of the magazine and the cupidity of the label. But in these days of declining sales and declining interest, perhaps one should merely be grateful for any concept that brings such superb recordings back into circulation. Decca's original sound was clean and warm, but a bit distant, and this reissue sounds no better, no worse, and, in all liklihood, no different.