Bach on Piano?

[kishnevi]

And lots of recordings where the harpsichord overwhelms the orchestra, which it certainly shouldn't do, too.

I must admit I did think of a reference to Goodman's Haydn series as a way to balance that statement of mine.😁

[Karl Henning]

Thin, antiquated, monotonous and tinny . . . how unseemly for James to parade how poor his ear is, for all to read.

So you do not like the harpsichord, that is all. 

Well observed.  No point in his adding the superfluous adjective antiquated save to register his disapproval.

Raise your hands, everybody who cares about James's disapproval . . . .

[San Antone]

It my opinion that Kenneth Gilbert's recordings have very good sound.  For example this one -



This is not to say that there are not many, many other examples.

[bwv 1080]

BTW most of the Bach pieces played on lute and guitar were really written for this instrument

https://www.youtube.com/v/GVGAMtI77J4

[Gurn Blanston]

This disk on Accord by Luciano Sgrizzi has a superb sounding harpsichord.

[asin]B008ALNCMY[/asin]


I have many others with great sound also. If you don't like the sound, it doesn't matter how fine it is. The music certainly sounds better.

[Sammy]

I don't mind the instrument at all, it just never really sounds good on recordings; can you give me an example of a recording which illustrates "very good" recorded sound. Thanks.

Sure.  Bach's French Suites from Francesco Cera on Arts Music.

[Karl Henning]

One minute, it's I don't mind the instrument at all; the next, it's thin, antiquated, monotonous and tinny . . . LOL

[Sammy]

I prefer Bach on piano and Scarlatti on harpsichord for these reasons:

1. A piano is a lot easier to listen to for extended periods, so it suits Bach's long multi-movement works better. Scarlatti specialized in tiny bite-sized sonatas, which are easier to digest on the harpsichord.

I've heard this "extended" comment about harpsichords many times, but it sure doesn't hold for folks who love the sound of a harpsichord.  I can listen to the harpsichord all day long and wake up the next morning wanting even more.

FWIW, I feel the same way about the piano, fortepiano and organ.  It's the clavichord that I have trouble handling for more than a half-hour or so.

[Todd]

Prefer piano, but will gladly listen to harpsichord.

[Ken B]

Piano. No contest.

I want to change my vote! To Sacrilege ...

[Karl Henning]

Pfffft

[bwv 1080]

ah, the wonders of Youtube - Chopin on Harpsichord

https://www.youtube.com/v/ZDB6-oXT8es

[Marc]

I've heard this "extended" comment about harpsichords many times, but it sure doesn't hold for folks who love the sound of a harpsichord. I can listen to the harpsichord all day long and wake up the next morning wanting even more.
[....]

Like (right now) Bach's Goldbergs, played by Scott Ross.
Great sound!

Maybe some of the (more or less) harpsichord dislikers should try some recent Bach recordings by Christophe Rousset, with a more 'fat and wet' harpsichord sound.

[Jay F]

Re recordings: What usually doesn't come across on recordings is the fact that period instruments produce considerably less sound than modern ones.  So for those of you who "get headaches" listening to recordings of period instruments, maybe you should try to hear a live performance (if you can).

I don't get a headache from listening to harpsichord. I just get headaches. And when I already have one, harpsichord recordings make some of the most clangorous sounds. I like them fine, though, when I don't have a headache.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Maybe some of the (more or less) harpsichord dislikers should try some recent Bach recordings by Christophe Rousset, with a more 'fat and wet' harpsichord sound.

It was Leonhardt's recording of William Byrd that convinced me I could love the sound of a harpsichord.

[Ken B]

Raise your hands, everybody who cares about James's disapproval . . . .

Huh? You pffffted me when I mocked it!

[Marc]

It was Leonhardt's recording of William Byrd that convinced me I could love the sound of a harpsichord.

I completely understand.
It gives you the sensation of physically wandering around in 16th century good ole England.

It's also a very good recording to understand the (IMO) huge difference between the sound of a (forte)piano and a harpsichord. The latter is a plucked string instrument and sounds much more like a lute or guitar.

[North Star]

Huh? You pffffted me when I mocked it!

The mockery of the 'pfffft' was most assuredly directed at James.

[Ken B]

In the late 70s and early 80 s I was a harpsichord only stalwart. And with anything but solo instrument I won't even sample non HIP Bach. But with a solo instrument the player brings so much, an individuality, which I believe Bach wrote for. So I prefer harpsichord but it is mostly the player. I think Hewitt is wonderful.

For CPE Bach I was a little reluctant to get Markovina even at a bargain price, but she is terrific on a modern (an imperial no less.)

As we move forward in time I am more flexible. I prefer HIP, and will only buy HIP for Mozart and Haydn for the most part. Going back I won't even listen to non specialist recordings of renaissance vocal music.

[Ken B]

Like (right now) Bach's Goldbergs, played by Scott Ross.
Great sound!

Maybe some of the (more or less) harpsichord dislikers should try some recent Bach recordings by Christophe Rousset, with a more 'fat and wet' harpsichord sound.

Yes. When Moonfish was saying he wanted to like harpsichord but was having trouble I suggested he stick to recent recordings until the tinny antiquated beast reshaped his soul. (Not in those words  )