David Harbin:

> A few months ago there was some 'discussion' when I questioned the
> competency of reviewers, such as in Gramophone, following the Hatto
> scandal.
>
> I queried how the expert reviewers did not spot the huge disrepancies
> in style in the Hattos CDs which were pilched from a large number of
> pianists and several orchestras and conductors.  I could also add
> numerous recording teams!
>
> So it is gratifying to read in the latest Private Eye (23 Nov, p14):
>
>    "... Then there are the critics who were duped, not least
>    Gramophone's Bryce Morrison, who eulogised Hatto's release of
>    Rachmaninov's 3rd piano concerto in a feature for Intelligent
>    Life magazine as "among the finest on record", while condemning
>    a Yefim Bronfman recording as feeble.  As we now know, the Hatto
>    release and the Bronfman recording were one and the same, which
>    leaves Morrison distinctly egg-faced ..."

Yes, David, but if you recall, that situation was explicitly singled out
by many who disagreed with you otherwise.

It is indeed embarrassing for a reviewer to find himself behind that
particular 8-ball.

Steve Schwartz

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