Bach Six Partitas

[Luke]

By comparison, Keith Jarrett's classical recordings don't seem particularly flexible or jazzy. Perhaps jazz pianists play classics to feel comfortable within a strict framework.

...though he does throw a few improvised flourishes in at appropriate places such as the slow movement of K488, which I think reflects his roots.

[AnotherSpin]

...though he does throw a few improvised flourishes in at appropriate places such as the slow movement of K488, which I think reflects his roots.

As many do in Mozart concertos. Have you listened to his Bach? The Goldberg Var., the French Suites, the WTC?

[Luke]

As many do in Mozart concertos.

Not saying they don't. But he's one that chooses to do so - and though they are small moments, I think you can hear that they are born of an overflow of expressive imperative and not just for scholarly reasons.

Have you listened to his Bach? The Goldberg Var., the French Suites, the WTC?

Sure, and in other composers too. I recognise what you are saying, but I do hear individuality and occasional impulsiveness there too.

[Mandryka]

I've known the performance for ages but I've only just found this video.

Jarrett wonderfully dancing before he starts to play in the rondo

[Mandryka]

WTF! Bach's keyboard music is nowadays still mostly played on anachronistic instruments.

Anachronistic or not, I think Helmchen has made a lovely recording!

[AnotherSpin]

Not saying they don't. But he's one that chooses to do so - and though they are small moments, I think you can hear that they are born of an overflow of expressive imperative and not just for scholarly reasons.

Sure, and in other composers too. I recognise what you are saying, but I do hear individuality and occasional impulsiveness there too.

Starting in the mid 70's I listened to an immense amount of Jarrett's albums. He was one of very few of my favourite musicians. It was solo improvisations like Köln Concerto, etc. and jazz line-ups like My Song or Byablue. I had dozens of his albums, more than of any other artist in any genre. When his performances of "serious" music started to appear, I was not a bit surprised. His interpretations bore little resemblance to the Jarrett I knew and loved. The complete, unrestricted freedom of his solo albums had been replaced by the rigid confines of composed music. My initial impressions of his Bach, Händel or Mozart were not particularly favourable, and it was only with time that I got used to a different Jarrett.

[aukhawk]

Same here, pretty much.

[Atriod]

Starting in the mid 70's I listened to an immense amount of Jarrett's albums. He was one of very few of my favourite musicians. It was solo improvisations like Köln Concerto, etc. and jazz line-ups like My Song or Byablue. I had dozens of his albums, more than of any other artist in any genre. When his performances of "serious" music started to appear, I was not a bit surprised. His interpretations bore little resemblance to the Jarrett I knew and loved. The complete, unrestricted freedom of his solo albums had been replaced by the rigid confines of composed music. My initial impressions of his Bach, Händel or Mozart were not particularly favourable, and it was only with time that I got used to a different Jarrett.

Gulda also played classical music very straight forward though he certainly enjoyed portraying himself as an eccentric. Gulda was a great jazz pianist, the interplay in some of those duo performances with two piano is superb.

[DavidW]

Colourful late 18th century piano, tangent, anachronistic. Not sure about the performances yet, I've heard the 6th, certainly  he has a natural sounding and expressive way with the phrasing in the allemande. Here's the booklet

https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/36/000169763.pdf

Finally gave this a listen.  I really enjoyed the relaxed performance and I enjoy the sound of the instrument. 

[Atriod]

Should I buy tickets to see Jeremy Denk play all six partitas? Has anyone heard him play them? For some reason I have it in my mind that he takes a sort of homogenous legato heavy take on Bach that could get dull with six partitas in a row.

It's a four hour round trip drive which is another sticking point.

[Mandryka]

Should I buy tickets to see Jeremy Denk play all six partitas? Has anyone heard him play them? For some reason I have it in my mind that he takes a sort of homogenous legato heavy take on Bach that could get dull with six partitas in a row.

It's a four hour round trip drive which is another sticking point.

You know he recorded some of them?  I haven't heard it.

[Atriod]

You know he recorded some of them?  I haven't heard it.

I did see he recorded half of them when I posted that, but I had this overwhelming feeling of ambivalence (and still do) about streaming them, so I was hoping someone could write something about them. I have to really be in the mood for this music on piano. I'm likely going to pass on the concert, hearing all six on piano in short succession seems a bit nuts to me. I'd do it for both books of WTC but not the partitas, maybe Schiff or Babayan would be very rare exceptions.

[Atriod]

I listened to Denk in the fourth. It's legato rich, beautiful/lyrical, homogeneous. I hear little of the contrapuntal clarity I would hear in the likes of ECM Schiff, Koroliov, Rubsam, Peter Hill (I hope Hill records them). Of course I prefer them on harpsichord and while this would be lower down on Bach's keyboard music I really love, I think I'd attend one of my favorite harpsichordists like Celine Frisch playing all six.