Crescendo Music Notation Reviews

Summary: Very pleasing.
As an occasional interpreter of old manuscripts I'm worried about the yearly cost and wouldn't really want or need regular updates. A one off-purchase, even with limitations, would be a real boon.

Positive: Very easy to use comprehensive software with surprisingly good versatility.
The layout is clear and access to infrequently used symbols was easily found.
Really very promising. I have only previously used pen and ink.
Not sure how it compares with the rival 'Sibelius'.
I have not had a chance to try out the higher upgrades. Certainly the available ornamentation was rather limited, as probably expected in the free trial.
The method of choosing accidentals was, I think, easier than that of your main competitor from what I have seen so far.
I was not unable to place ornamentation symbols below the bottom note of a chord for either the right or the left hand, commonly seen in old keyboard music, the symbol always appearing above the chord instead. Again this may be a limitation of the free software version.

Negative: Free trial expired before I had time to copy an illegible 18c French harpsichord manuscript and try playing it for real, so full assessment a bit limited. I was just getting really interested!
A little too easy to scatter unwanted notes such was the sensitivity using a laptop. Maybe a mouse would have been easier?
I expect practice would make perfect.
I didn't see a tenor clef choice. This is used a lot in original scripts.
Cost is a major concern. Most professional musicians are constantly cash-strapped, and amateurs or the retired can't put the cost against tax in the UK.
The playback sounded as if performed by Les Dawson so I have upgraded my opinion of him!