Bach: Keyboard Works

[Bunnyears]

No, I had a birthday party that night that was a must-attend thing. I really had wanted to get a ticket, but as soon as I checked my datebook I knew that it wasn't going to happen. But, she has many recitals during the year, so I know that I'll get to one sooner or later. From the program posted, it looked as if she was going to do most of the pieces on her cd with the chromatic fantasy that I already have.

 

[Bunnyears]

Well, I bought Murray Perahia's recording of the Goldberg Variations on an impulse at yourmusic, and now I am thinking of getting them on SACD, they are just that phenomenally good. They are probably the best Goldbergs on piano that I have heard to date. All of the restraint that seemed to deaden his Shubert and Beethoven here feels so natural and utterly perfect that I cannot for the life of me understand why he hasn't recorded everything by Bach written for solo keyboard instrument. And, lest you think this is another recording like Angela Hewitt's brilliant but so cold interpretations, he finds emotional fire and depth whenever the music calls for it. He is a Bach interpreter of the highest quality. This is one of the most satisfying recordings I've ever listened to and I really can't say enough to recommend it. It also helps that the sound quality of the recording is excellent as well. I haven't felt so excited since I listened to Rousset's English and French Suites on harpsichord, so for all of the purists in the audience, take a breath and try this. You won't regret it.

 

[Tyson]

Funny how 2 people of taste can disagree so

I find Hewitt very exciting, and Perahia leaves me cold... At least we can both agree on Rousset

 

[Tyson]

Perhaps I'm overstating my case a bit. Perahia doesn't leave me cold, I find him very good, actually. I just find Hewitt to be much better

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Funny how 2 people of taste can disagree so I find Hewitt very exciting, and Perahia leaves me cold... At least we can both agree on Rousset

I am trimming my Bach collection which has grown too big recently, mostly selling off piano versions but a couple harpsicord CDs also which have been rendered obsolete.......no new purchases allowed (except any new Rousset)

 

[Bunnyears]

If you haven't heard this recording, then you really can't compare. I generally find many of Perahia's recordings lacking some indefinable quality that I look for when I listen to music. This recording is just so different from what I am used to from him, I don't know how to explain it, but it just gets the old alpha waves going in the most amazing way. It's probably the only piano recording of the Goldbergs that does this for me so totally, and I have both of the Glen Goulds, Rosalyn Tureck, Hewitt, Weissenberg, João Carlos Martins, Peter Serkin, Schiff and Till Fellner. I don't want to take away anything from the other artists, because they are all extremely brilliant, but right now as of hearing these, they are reference for me and that is really saying a lot.

 

[LFF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears If you haven't heard this recording, then you really can't compare. I generally find many of Perahia's recordings lacking some indefinable quality that I look for when I listen to music. This recording is just so different from what I am used to from him, I don't know how to explain it, but it just gets the old alpha waves going in the most amazing way. It's probably the only piano recording of the Goldbergs that does this for me so totally, and I have both of the Glen Goulds, Rosalyn Tureck, Hewitt, Weissenberg, João Carlos Martins, Peter Serkin, Schiff and Till Fellner. I don't want to take away anything from the other artists, because they are all extremely brilliant, but right now as of hearing these, they are reference for me and that is really saying a lot.

Hey Bunny, what do think of Perahia's recordings of Bach's Piano Concertos?

 

[dshea_32665]

Hey, my wife has the Perahia Goldberg Variations in her car. I will have to go steal it and give it a spin. After my falling out of favor with his Mozart Piano concerto recordings, I didn't think to try him for Bach. Best of all, it is free.

dshea

 

[Bunnyears]

LFF,

I haven't heard them. In general though, I find that a modern piano usually is out of balance in a baroque orchestra or ensemble. The added volume and powerful dynamics compete too much with the rest of the instruments. Remember, the modern concert grand is made to hold its own as a solo instrument against the full orchestra as demonstrated so well with the music of say, Rachmaninoff. The baroque orchestra had fewer instruments and also the instruments did not generate the same volume as the modern instruments. For example, baroque cellos lacked the endpin which gives the modern cello extra sonority by making the floor an extra soundboard, and the internal construction of the other string instruments also produced a softer sound. Most modern baroque violins and cellos have been altered to produce a fuller sound. I also wonder just how and where the piano would be placed upon the stage, would the case be open or closed, would it be at stage front, and would it be a full concert sized grand or a smaller model?

I am not the type of person who insists on historic performance, so I would be open to a good performance if there is one which incorporates a piano. I just don't see how it will work for continuo, and I suspect it might have too much color for my personal taste.

 

[LFF]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears LFF, I haven't heard them. In general though, I find that a modern piano usually is out of balance in a baroque orchestra or ensemble. The added volume and powerful dynamics compete too much with the rest of the instruments. Remember, the modern concert grand is made to hold its own as a solo instrument against the full orchestra as demonstrated so well with the music of say, Rachmaninoff. The baroque orchestra had fewer instruments and also the instruments did not generate the same volume as the modern instruments. For example, baroque cellos lacked the endpin which gives the modern cello extra sonority by making the floor an extra soundboard, and the internal construction of the other string instruments also produced a softer sound. Most modern baroque violins and cellos have been altered to produce a fuller sound. I also wonder just how and where the piano would be placed upon the stage, would the case be open or closed, would it be at stage front, and would it be a full concert sized grand or a smaller model? I am not the type of person who insists on historic performance, so I would be open to a good performance if there is one which incorporates a piano. I just don't see how it will work for continuo, and I suspect it might have too much color for my personal taste.

I can see where your coming from. I too prefer the harpsichord in the context of a baroque orchestra or ensemble but Perahia's recordings of Bach's Piano Concertos are just too good to ignore. If you liked Perhahia's Goldberg Variations give the piano concertos a listen and tell me what you think.

For harpsichord recordings of Bach's keyboard concertos I really like the different approach of Richard Egarr with the Academy of Ancient Music. I would also recommend this as a something to have in ones collection.

 

[Bunnyears]

I have the Hogwood recordings of the harpsichord concertos with christophe Rousset playing. I also have the Pinnock recordings on order. I'll see if they have the Perahia available for sampling anywhere, but it's going to be a hardsell at this point for me (I say this all the time and then the money flows like water

).

Tyson,
Please understand, I do not dislike Angela Hewitt, infact, her recording of the Fantasia and Fugue in A minor is one of my favorites and I also have her recording of the Nocturnes in the mail. However, the beauty of her playing is so cool as to be unengaging for me at times. It takes at least half of the first cd of the English Suites before I can relax into them, and I cannot figure out why. Similarly with the recording of the Goldberg Variations. It does not appeal to me on a deeper more visceral level but purely as an intellectual diversion. I thought that I would get something similar with the Perahia, but was so surprised to find such a different feeling in these Goldbergs. Only consider, I put them on expecting to be disappointed only to find to my amazement real pleasure.

 

[LFF]

Bunny,
I also have the recordings you mentioned. I hope you like the Perahia recordings. Your just like me - you say you will stop and save but somehow, you always manage to spend a little more for something that's worth it.

 

[DarkAngel]

Gilbert/Archiv Blue, Bach WTC I & II
This is very fine harpsicord set that has been critical favorite for long time, recently released at reduced price on "blue" series. Can't compare it to other versions since it costs too much to collect multiple sets, but like other Bach works I do prefer the harpsicord to piano Gould WTC I have. It does sound richer, warmer more reasonate than early works by Pinnock for instance which is good for my taste. Not really many choices right now if you want harpsicord WTC set.

(this is not new purchase, but has been stuck in new CD stack for a few weeks)

 

[Bunnyears]

DarkAngel,

I have to admit that the field is not flooded with choices, but aside from Wanda Landowska, older recordings include those of Ralph Kirkpatrick and Gustave Leonhardt. Newer ones are Blandine Verlet and Edward Parmentier (both very well thought of), but they are usually special order and certainly not budget choices like the archiv blue.

Hopefully, the future will bring more performances on quality instruments.

 

[Tyson]

I think I'll order some Gilbert to supplement my Rousset purchases.... What are your thoughts about Gilbert's overall style compared to Rousset (or Hantai)?