Recordings That You Are Considering

[Mandryka]

[ritter]

An excellent disc! It was high time we had a new recording of Éclat-Multiples, IMHO a major work by Boulez that marks the transition from his earlier style (with Pli selon pli as its crowning achievement) to his Spätstil. And here we get the original Éclat on its own, plus the complete Éclat-Multiples (and an alternative fragment of the last section). I must admit, OTOH, that I've never really much liked Sur incises, and this new recording didn't manage to change my appreciation of the work.

Andrew Clements reviewed this CD very favourably in The Guardian when it was released.

[Mandryka]

An excellent disc! It was high time we had a new recording of Éclat-Multiples, IMHO a major work by Boulez that marks the transition from his earlier style (with Pli selon pli as its crowning achievement) to his Spätstil. And here we get the original Éclat on its own, plus the complete Éclat-Multiples (and an alternative fragment of the last section). I must admit, OTOH, that I've never really much liked Sur incises, and this new recording didn't manage to change my appreciation of the work.

Andrew Clements reviewed this CD very favourably in The Guardian when it was released.

Thanks. I think the other disc, with Hodges, has a most impressive 3rd sonata. I shall get this one.

[Spotted Horses]

I'm looking for a recording of Bach's complete WTC on a harpsichord with rich sound, beautifully recorded. I was impressed with Hanti, but there seems to be no book II. Is that right or am I incompetent at internet search?

[DavidW]

I'm looking for a recording of Bach's complete WTC on a harpsichord with rich sound, beautifully recorded. I was impressed with Hanti, but there seems to be no book II. Is that right or am I incompetent at internet search?

I think you're right. I like this one, but YMMV of course:

[prémont]

I'm looking for a recording of Bach's complete WTC on a harpsichord with rich sound, beautifully recorded.

Steven Devine
Colin Booth
Christine Schornsheim
Céline Frisch
Blandine Verlet

[Que]

I'm looking for a recording of Bach's complete WTC on a harpsichord with rich sound, beautifully recorded. I was impressed with Hanti, but there seems to be no book II. Is that right or am I incompetent at internet search?

No Book II by Hantaï to my knowledge...

Since you like Hantaï, I might not be the perfect advisor on this.. but... for a modern recording in rich sound I would try Steven Devine on Resonus, seconding Prémont's recommendation.

PS I also like Rousset, but his later style is not quite mainstream and somewhat of an acquired taste IMO.

PS II I haven't heard Colin Booth due to lack of availability streaming, but considering other Bach I've heard by him I'd take Prémont's word on that one.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Steven Devine
Colin Booth
Christine Schornsheim
Céline Frisch
Blandine Verlet

Of these, I know only Schornsheim. But I like her a lot.

[Mandryka]

I'm looking for a recording of Bach's complete WTC on a harpsichord with rich sound, beautifully recorded. I was impressed with Hanti, but there seems to be no book II. Is that right or am I incompetent at internet search?

The closest in sound I can think of is John Butt's -- he used a copy of a German harpsichord by Michael Mietke. Maybe if someone has the booklet from the Hantai they can see if it says which instrument he used.

[prémont]

The closest in sound I can think of is John Butt's -- he used a copy of a German harpsichord by Michael Mietke. Maybe if someone has the booklet from the Hantai they can see if it says which instrument he used.

On the other hand Butt's interpretation is the most idiosyncratic I can think of - when we ignore some interpretations on piano.

[Mandryka]

On the other hand Butt's interpretation is the most idiosyncratic I can think of - when we ignore some interpretations on piano.

It is, but there's something to bear in mind. He has a doctorate from Cambridge on Bach's articulation markings, a fellowship of the British Academy, the Dent medal for musicology, book length publications on Bach and on historically informed performance practice, a chair at Glasgow University, a fellowship at both Magdalene and Kings Cambridge. I don't know for sure, but with that sort of background I'd be surprised if his approach wasn't very considered.

[prémont]

Maybe it's me, but whatever his academic credentials are, I don't find his interpretation convincing.

[Mandryka]

Maybe it's me, but whatever his academic credentials are, I don't find his interpretation convincing.

Me neither -- in the sense that I don't really enjoy it. But maybe that's what Bach wanted!

[Spotted Horses]

I appreciate all of the comments on the WTC recordings.

I think the only WTC set I've listened to complete on harpsichord is Bob van Asperen years ago. I have the Ross set in the Teldec complete Bach (I think) and over the years I've accumulated the Gary Cooper on ASV, Tilney on Hyperion, Leonhardt on Harmonia Mundi and Rubsam performing on Lautenwerk on his own label. In my current search, I've briefly sampled Hantai, Butt, Frisch, Watchorn and Dantone. This may seem like a shallow approach, but I am mostly focused on the sound of the instrument. I'm sure in any of them I will find some selections which work and some that don't work for me. But in the past the sound of the harpsichord has been a barrier and with new audio equipment (and maybe ear degradation) I'm finding harpsichord more palatable, at least in limited doses. I will give the suggested recordings a brief sample before making what will probably be a rather arbitrary suggestion. My life constraints don't allow me to listen to any one musical work exhaustively.
 

[Mandryka]

I appreciate all of the comments on the WTC recordings.

I think the only WTC set I've listened to complete on harpsichord is Bob van Asperen years ago. I have the Ross set in the Teldec complete Bach (I think) and over the years I've accumulated the Gary Cooper on ASV, Tilney on Hyperion, Leonhardt on Harmonia Mundi and Rubsam performing on Lautenwerk on his own label. In my current search, I've briefly sampled Hantai, Butt, Frisch, Watchorn and Dantone. This may seem like a shallow approach, but I am mostly focused on the sound of the instrument. I'm sure in any of them I will find some selections which work and some that don't work for me. But in the past the sound of the harpsichord has been a barrier and with new audio equipment (and maybe ear degradation) I'm finding harpsichord more palatable, at least in limited doses. I will give the suggested recordings a brief sample before making what will probably be a rather arbitrary suggestion. My life constraints don't allow me to listen to any one musical work exhaustively.
 

Try Francesco Cera - the instrument is nice, German I think, but you have to see how you get on with the rubato.

https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/05/000203650.pdf

[prémont]

I have the Ross set in the Teldec complete Bach (I think)

It's Glen Wilson playing on a copy of the instrument van Asperen plays on his WTC (Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728.)

[Spotted Horses]

It's Glen Wilson playing on a copy of the instrument van Asperen plays on his WTC (Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728.)

Thanks for the correction.

[Que]

It's Glen Wilson playing on a copy of the instrument van Asperen plays on his WTC (Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728.)

Which is probably still my absolute favourite. 

[Mandryka]

Which is probably still my absolute favourite. 

I like it very much too.

[Spotted Horses]

It's Glen Wilson playing on a copy of the instrument van Asperen plays on his WTC (Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728.)

I've listened to a C major and C minor in Gary Cooper's WTC-I (It doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar) and find myself well pleased. Tempos tend to be broad, which works well for me.

What is the tuning in Glen Wilson's set? It is pretty old, before authentic tunings became such a thing. I remember there was something of a stir when Watchon introduced a tuning which he said was based on the idea that the loops in the apparently ornamental scroll on Bach's manuscript was an indication of the tuning he favored.

https://bpl.rf.gd/larips/watchorn.html?i=1

I didn't find Glen Wilson's set on my streaming service, but I pulled the FLAC files from my Bach edition off my USB drive.