Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, BWV1001-6,

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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Advantages: Wonderful transcriptions of JS Bach's majestic music; sensitive, tender, vivacious, effortless and fluid playing.
Disadvantages: Nil.

...Balsom has already had her US debut, performing just this January 2006 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Milwaukee? Not New York City and Carnegie Hall? How did they get to be so lucky in Wisconsin! Methinks Ms Balsom needs a better agent/promoter, no?!). FINAL VERDICT: I give this disc an unqualified, insanely enthusiastic recommendation with all thumbs and great toes up, for all lovers of Bach and/or the trumpet. Total, absolute must-have recording. [For more complete background info on Alison Balsom, please scroll down the page to the BBC Radio 3 article.] CD DETAILS: BACH: WORKS FOR TRUMPET Alison Balsom EMI Classics 5 58047 2 (CD) / 5 58047 5 Concerto in D Major (after Vivaldi) BWV 972: 1 Allegro 2 Adagio 3 Allegro Assai 4 Sarabande (from Cello Suite No.2 BWV 1008) 5 Gigue (from Cello Suite No.2 BWV 1008) 6 Aria... Read review

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Advantages: MacGregor's chameleon-like arrangements render every piece interesting, appealing.
Disadvantages: She remains in obscurity in the US.

...The Alcotts (from Concord Sonata) / Charles Ives 'Veliko crno more, a u njemu…Brod' / Ivana Ognjanovic Allemande (from Partita No. 4 in D major) / Johann Sebastian Bach Dance It / Joanna MacGregor... Read review

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