Bach, CPE: (The) Solo Keyboard Music, Vol 13

Advantages: Romantic orchestral music
Disadvantages: Only 1 hour - eat quickly for a romantic dinner

...Johann Sebastian Bach, giant among Baroque composers, was a prolific writer whose versatility and creativity resulted in a wealth of musical works with a diversity ranging from sacred choral works, keyboard music to orchestra music. The CD, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor / Violin Concertos in A minor & E minor, is an orchestral recording conducted by Salvatore Accardo, in which two violins (Anne-Sophie Mutter and Salvatore Accardo) / solo violin (Anne-Sophie Mutter) are contrasted with a larger orchestra (English Chamber Orchestra) of strings and bass continuo instrument the harpsichord. Bach is often criticized for his strict attention to form. Whilst, I greatly admire Bach for his intellectual and methodical approach to composition, what I enjoy most is the harmonious and melodic music that results. This CD is a superb example... Read review

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Advantages: Great piano playing of a great Bach composition.
Disadvantages: None

...One of Gould's final recordings, this is probably the definitive piano version of Bach's keyboard masterpiece. Gould runs the theme & thirty variations as a unified whole. His playing is characterised by clear fast passages, crisp ornaments and controlled, intense playing of the slow variations (nos.15 & 26). Even his humming along to the music does not detract from a joyous performance. The final section from variation 27 to the slow return to the theme is pianism at its most uplifting. The piano sound is clear without being dry & compares favourably with most up to date piano recordings. This is a disc to convert anyone to Bach & indeed to Gould's pianistic genius.... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant, stirring, excitingly unpredictable, fresh performance; "genius" is not hyperbole in Argerich's case.
Disadvantages: Reflecting its LP origins, the CD lasts only 50' 16"!

...one of the world’s genuine living legends. Find out for yourself why so many who have experienced that rarefied, divine, yet deeply human musical world created by Martha Argerich so hate to leave it. Now, if only she would record the Goldberg Variations, or any other solo Bach work … *sigh*… CD TITLE: JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Toccata BWV 911 * Partita BWV 826 * English Suite No. 2 BWV 807 1 Toccata in C minor, BWV 911 Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 2 Sinfonia 3 Allemande 4 Courante 5 Sarabande 6 Rondeau 7 Capriccio English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807 8 Prelude 9 Allemande 10 Courante 11 Sarabande 12 Bourée I/II 13 Gigue Martha Argerich, piano Deutsche Grammophon ©1980 289 463 604-2 Some definitions… TOCCATA... Read review

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