Bach Chamber and Instrumental music

[Scarpia]

Not too long back in the Listening Thread, I posted 2 CDs of Bach's Viola da Gamba/Keyboard Sonatas - have owned the older piano/cello version for years, which received a number of negative comments (and reviews have been mixed), plus the recording is short!  The post is quoted below which includes the other disc of these works that I own, i.e. w/ Savall/Koopman, and will keep!

But a more HIP replacement(s) for the other has now interested me; so I've looked at some other offerings and I've also reviewed an excellent and quite extensive set of reviews by our own Don HERE; two of a number recommended by Don intrigued me: 1) Spanyi on a tangent piano on BIS - I will likely purchase this disc just because of its uniqueness; and 2) Quintana & Frisch on a reduced priced HM disc; the latter an excellent review also in Fanfare.  Now, a third more recent recording w/ Pinnock was recommended by Stuart and also received a superb review in Fanfare!

So, please help w/ comments!  I believe I want the Spanyi disc - don't believe that I need both of the other two, so would enjoy hearing some opinions - both of the latter are viola da gamba & harpsichord versions - thanks all! 


   

I have the Spanyi recording and found the sound of the instrument very unpleasant, never managed to listen to the entire thing.  If you have a recording with the proper instumentation of viola da gamba and harpsichord, the only other thing you need to hear is the Wisperwey, which employs various keyboard instruments and a cello to reinforce the bass line at times.  There is also a transcription of the piece for two flutes and continuo (by Bach himself) which is worth hearing.


The idea that a Pinnock recording is worth hearing seems counter intuitive.

[Coopmv]

Not too long back in the Listening Thread, I posted 2 CDs of Bach's Viola da Gamba/Keyboard Sonatas - have owned the older piano/cello version for years, which received a number of negative comments (and reviews have been mixed), plus the recording is short!  The post is quoted below which includes the other disc of these works that I own, i.e. w/ Savall/Koopman, and will keep!

But a more HIP replacement(s) for the other has now interested me; so I've looked at some other offerings and I've also reviewed an excellent and quite extensive set of reviews by our own Don HERE; two of a number recommended by Don intrigued me: 1) Spanyi on a tangent piano on BIS - I will likely purchase this disc just because of its uniqueness; and 2) Quintana & Frisch on a reduced priced HM disc; the latter an excellent review also in Fanfare.  Now, a third more recent recording w/ Pinnock was recommended by Stuart and also received a superb review in Fanfare!

So, please help w/ comments!  I believe I want the Spanyi disc - don't believe that I need both of the other two, so would enjoy hearing some opinions - both of the latter are viola da gamba & harpsichord versions - thanks all! 


   

Dave,

Just a disclaimer.  I do not read Fanfare and in fact do not bother with most of the commercial reviews of classical music.  Trevor Pinnock has been a tried and true and known quantity to me for three decades.  I read some reviews on Amazon and decided to give the CD a try ...

[Bulldog]

I have the Spanyi recording and found the sound of the instrument very unpleasant, never managed to listen to the entire thing.  If you have a recording with the proper instumentation of viola da gamba and harpsichord, the only other thing you need to hear is the Wisperwey, which employs various keyboard instruments and a cello to reinforce the bass line at times.  There is also a transcription of the piece for two flutes and continuo (by Bach himself) which is worth hearing.

Scarpia, you are one fussy guy; I can only repeat that I found Spanyi's tangent piano highly attractive, while the Wispelwey (except for the additional pieces played) is a throw-away due to his penchant for weak articulation and phrasing.

Concerning Mason/Pinnock, I have that recording and it's mighty fine.  Still, I prefer the Frisch on Harmonia Mundi.

[Que]

Not too long back in the Listening Thread, I posted 2 CDs of Bach's Viola da Gamba/Keyboard Sonatas - have owned the older piano/cello version for years, which received a number of negative comments (and reviews have been mixed), plus the recording is short!  The post is quoted below which includes the other disc of these works that I own, i.e. w/ Savall/Koopman, and will keep!

So, please help w/ comments!

 

Contrary to my own expectations the Quintana & Frisch isn't all that special, mainly on account of Quintana. See my earlier comments HERE.

Q

[SonicMan46]

Spanyi, you are one fussy guy; I can only repeat that I found Spanyi's tangent piano highly attractive, while the Wispelwey (except for the additional pieces played) is a throw-away due to his penchant for weak articulation and phrasing.

Concerning Mason/Pinnock, I have that recording and it's mighty fine.  Still, I prefer the Frisch on Harmonia Mundi.

Don, Q, Scarpia & Stuart - thanks for your comments; believe that I will still obtain the Spanyi - I really enjoy him on the 'tangent piano' on other recordings that I own, so this CD would be a nice contrast to own vs. the other combinations.

Now the Wispelwey disc sounds quite interesting but was pretty much 'panned' by Don - assume that he still stands by his original thoughts?  Now seems like some 'fisticuffs' between Don & Q on the Fisch offering, and Stuart & Scarpia on the Pinnock!  So, still uncertain about another 'viola da gamba/harpsichord' combination?

Now to change the instruments used, if I decide to dumped my Maisky-Argerich cello/piano disc, are there other combos on these works worth consideration?  Thanks again - Dave 

[Antoine Marchand]

Now the Wispelwey disc sounds quite interesting but was pretty much 'panned' by Don - assume that he still stands by his original thoughts?

Be brave, SonicMan! You will love that recording. 

Anyway, if you want another version on harpsichord/viola da gamba (in this case "lute-harpsichord"/gamba) this one is just superb:

[Que]

Be brave, SonicMan! You will love that recording. 

Anyway, if you want another version on harpsichord/viola da gamba (in this case "lute-harpsichord"/gamba) this one is just superb:

Excellent recommendation! Nice to see it reissued. I made the same some time ago (see previously linked post), and if I'm correct Dave already got that one.

I agree with Don on Wispelwey BTW.

Q

[Coopmv]

Now to change the instruments used, if I decide to dumped my Maisky-Argerich cello/piano disc, are there other combos on these works worth consideration?  Thanks again - Dave 

Dave,  Let me know if you find another piano/cello combo on this Bach Sonatas for Viola da Gamba.  It think the Argerich/Maisky CD may be the only one of its kind ...

[SonicMan46]

Excellent recommendation! Nice to see it reissued. I made the same some time ago (see previously linked post), and if I'm correct Dave already got that one.

I agree with Don on Wispelwey BTW.

Antoine, Q, & Stuart - thanks for the further input on the Bach Viola da Gamba + Keyboard Sonatas - 

I believe that Don & Q have talked me out of the Wispelwey purchase! 

Antoine's suggestion of Hill using a 'lute harpsichord' interests me and a great option for me - love variety in interpretation of these works, esp. if the instruments seem to still 'fit into' the time period - need to do some searching for this work - not sure 'how available' it is for me at a good price?

Stuart - I was looking for some more cello-piano combinations - believe there is at least a Hewitt option, but not sure about others w/o further searching - might be 'slim pickings'?  Dave 

[Antoine Marchand]

I agree with Don on Wispelwey BTW.

Well, to a certain extent, me too. Let's me explain: When I commented this version for the first time some days ago, I pointed out that it was a slightly romanticized version; but Dave loves Argerich/Maisky, therefore, I supposed that this was not a problem. Additionally, considering that these are late works (not works from the Cöthen period, as it was thought during many years) and, apparently, composed during the years of J.A. Scheibe's critique, I don't necessarily consider a slight under-articulation like a mistake... But without any doubt it is not a totally orthodox version and the same instruments used are a clue about this; but I like its "cantabile" character. BTW, Richard Egarr is a part of this recording, is it just a coincidence? 

[Bulldog]

Now to change the instruments used, if I decide to dumped my Maisky-Argerich cello/piano disc, are there other combos on these works worth consideration?  Thanks again - Dave 

I'm familiar with a viola/piano combo on the Quartz label; Yuko Inoue on viola, Kathron Sturrock on piano.  It's actually a very enjoyable disc; my sole complaint, and a major one, is that Sturrock tends to support the viola.  This greatly reduces the impact of the dialogue. 

[Bulldog]

Be brave, SonicMan! You will love that recording. 

Anyway, if you want another version on harpsichord/viola da gamba (in this case "lute-harpsichord"/gamba) this one is just superb:

I don't own the Hill disc, but I found out about an hour ago that it is on the Naxos Music Library.  So I've been listening to it and finding it exceptional.  Hill's lute-harpsichord sounds delightful with a subtle sparkle.  The voice interaction is great with fine balance.

Dave - You need to add this one to your "high priority" list.

[Bulldog]

Well, to a certain extent, me too. Let's me explain: When I commented this version for the first time some days ago, I pointed out that it was a slightly romanticized version; but Dave loves Argerich/Maisky, therefore, I supposed that this was not a problem. Additionally, considering that these are late works (not works from the Cöthen period, as it was thought during many years) and, apparently, composed during the years of J.A. Scheibe's critique, I don't necessarily consider a slight under-articulation like a mistake... But without any doubt it is not a totally orthodox version and the same instruments used are a clue about this; but I like its "cantabile" character. BTW, Richard Egarr is a part of this recording, is it just a coincidence? 

Egarr's a funny guy.  In his Goldbergs, his big priority is "cantabile heaven".  Switch to his WTC 1 and he seems to have abandoned that notion completely (that's good). 

[Scarpia]

Dave,  Let me know if you find another piano/cello combo on this Bach Sonatas for Viola da Gamba.  It think the Argerich/Maisky CD may be the only one of its kind ...

There are the Starker/Sebok recordings on Mercury Living Presence.  A much much better cellist, a better pianist and a better recording.

[Scarpia]

Well, to a certain extent, me too. Let's me explain: When I commented this version for the first time some days ago, I pointed out that it was a slightly romanticized version; but Dave loves Argerich/Maisky, therefore, I supposed that this was not a problem. Additionally, considering that these are late works (not works from the Cöthen period, as it was thought during many years) and, apparently, composed during the years of J.A. Scheibe's critique, I don't necessarily consider a slight under-articulation like a mistake... But without any doubt it is not a totally orthodox version and the same instruments used are a clue about this; but I like its "cantabile" character. BTW, Richard Egarr is a part of this recording, is it just a coincidence? 

I don't see any reason to apologize for enjoying these wonderful recordings.   

[Coopmv]

Stuart - I was looking for some more cello-piano combinations - believe there is at least a Hewitt option, but not sure about others w/o further searching - might be 'slim pickings'?  Dave 

If there is a Hewitt option, I no doubt missed it.  I probably have most if not all her Bach keyboard works, including some on DG besides her usual Hyperion recordings ...

[Coopmv]

There are the Starker/Sebok recordings on Mercury Living Presence.  A much much better cellist, a better pianist and a better recording.

I can believe a better cellist than Maisky, but a better pianist than Argerich?

[Scarpia]

If there is a Hewitt option, I no doubt missed it.  I probably have most if not all her Bach keyboard works, including some on DG besides her usual Hyperion recordings ...

I had that recording and it was dreadful.  It was with a German cellist on a German label, and half the booklet was about how Hewlett was a decent Bach player even though she wasn't German.  For good measure they jacked up the gain on the cellist's microphone so the piano was all but drowned out.   Nothing beats Starker for the cello/piano approach.

[Scarpia]

I can believe a better cellist than Maisky, but a better pianist than Argerich?

She is good at some things, not Bach.

[Antoine Marchand]

I don't see any reason to apologize for enjoying these wonderful recordings.   

You have misunderstood my reply, Scarpia. It wasn't an apology at all. Just an explanation about why, IMO, the criticism of under-articulation is, even historically, debatable. Like you, I love that recording and totally enjoy its delightful cantabile character.