Bach: Keyboard Works

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Well I also have the 2CD Rousset/Ambroise English Suites......let's not beat around the bush, it is the finest harpsicord performance I have ever heard of any Bach work. Rousset has a rythmic style others just cannot match, and as Bunny mentioned he uses warm full sounding instrument that sweeps you away. This set convinces more than ever that harpsicord is more natural match for bach style vs piano versions. Not sure what those other fools were crying about reverberant sound, this is far superior to other recordings and makes them sound bad by comparison.......needless to say this is essential purchase and easily my reference for this work.

After 2-3 listens I stand by my original finding.......this is reference Bach and sets the mark all other must now strive to acheive.

Now time for the Rousset French Suites to take a few spins.

 

[Tyson]

Rousset CD of the Goldbergs finally arrive. Best Harpsichord performance of this music I've heard.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Rousset CD of the Goldbergs finally arrive. Best Harpsichord performance of this music I've heard.

What...........where did you find that?

I need a link now!

 

[Tyson]

Here you go, got it used from here (they don't have any there now):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...972955-7990037

 

[Bunnyears]

This is very interesting! I have ordered the earlier Pierre Hantai Goldberg Variations because friends have told me that they are absolutely the best Goldbergs they had ever heard. Although I have his later Goldbergs, just recently released (and they are not negligible) the earlier ones are considered outstanding and possibly the best ever recorded! Now, I'll also have to see if I can come up with a Rousset for comparison. And Romanee's suggestion of the Thurston Dart is also not to be dismissed, either.

 

[Tyson]

I have Hantai's earlier version (from 1992 on Opus 111), and it's not much comparison, the Rousset is considerably better, at lease IMO.

 

[Bunnyears]

Well, I guess the chase is on. Now to find a used recording. Hopefully, with the success of the new releases, they will consider re-releasing the older recordings.

 

[DarkAngel]

Ha ha..........patience kiddies!

I suspect in the not too distant future we will have new Rousset/Ambroisie Goldberg that surpasses them all with better sound and packaging also. Till then Tyson enjoys the spoils of war........

 

[Bunnyears]

DarkAngel,

I hope you are right! I have the complete Bach harpsichord concertos and the Bach partitas on order and hopefully they will be everything I desire. Meanwhile, I will have the privilege of seeing him perform Bach's Concerto for Harpsichord and Oboe in D Minor, BWV 1059 live in December.

 

[DarkAngel]

Ok have heard the Rousset/Ambroisie French Suites a few times.....and all the praise heaped upon English Suites apply here also. I normally like the French slightly better vs English, but in Rousset's hands somehow he has turned the tables and I actually now slightly prefer the English Suites by him.

I will not hesitate one second to buy any future releases in the Rousset/Ambroisie series.....now what to do with all these piano versions, almost seems foolish to play them now after hearing Rousset's harpsicord work.

 

[Bunnyears]

DarkAngel,

I think you really have an affinity for the faster driving rhythms of the English, whereas I love to sink into the slower measures of the French, absolutely wallowing in every dying note. But, there's no denying that these are the best French and English suites that I've heard, especially on the Rucker harpsichord he plays.

 

[Tyson]

As much as I like Hantai and Rousset (and I have to say that they are MUCH better than the previous generation of Harpsichord players such as Pinnock, Moroney, etc), I still much prefer solo bach on a piano. There's a range of emotion and sound that is simply not available on a harpsichord. Hewitt, Perahia, Schepkin, all great Bach on piano. Now, for keyboard concerto's, no question I like harpsichord better, but the solo stuff is simply more to my liking on a piano.

Of course, that doesn't mean that I'm not buying every Rousset release I can get my hands on

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears DarkAngel, I hope you are right! I have the complete Bach harpsichord concertos and the Bach partitas on order and hopefully they will be everything I desire. Meanwhile, I will have the privilege of seeing him perform Bach's Concerto for Harpsichord and Oboe in D Minor, BWV 1059 live in December.

I was holding off asking ... but I can't resist: Where? When?

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Now, for keyboard concerto's, no question I like harpsichord better, but the solo stuff is simply more to my liking on a piano. Of course, that doesn't mean that I'm not buying every Rousset release I can get my hands on

Last night I heard Murray Perahia's recording of the English Suites, and that is really reference for the suites on piano. It is probably the best English suites on piano that I have heard. Everything that annoys me about him when he is playing Beethoven or Schubert, the restraint and lightness of touch, make his Bach absolutely the best.

 

[tie]

I just came upon this thread and I thought I'd say I share bunnyears' opinion of Rousset's harpsichord. That Allemande from the French Suite No. 4 is a sensational opening. I haven't checked out his English Suites yet, but with the discussion here, I'll have to put it on the list.

Bunnyears- did you end up going to Ms. Hewitt's concert at Carnegie Hall on 4/7? I was fortunate enough to attend and I should say that it was a evening to remember- She put together quite a nice program. All in all, she remains one of my very favorite artists for the piano!