Alexandre Tharaud Essentials

Elegant, cool and always highly personal, Tharaud is a pianist with masses of personality. He has played—with great success—a corner of the keyboard repertoire usually reserved for harpsichordists (Rameau and Couperin). His sympathy for the music of the Baroque makes him a fine Bach interpreter, and his recording of the keyboard concertos is sprightly and full of character. One of his most delightful recordings is an evocation of Paris in the '20s, full of sparkling rhythmic life. A Chopin player of real flair, Tharaud is a French player well worth watching.