Bach on the harpsichord, lute-harpsichord, clavichord

[milk]

I'm really enjoying Mario Videla's recording of the French Suites recording because he completely shies away from large scale gestures, everything is peaceful and intimate. Anyway I shouldn't wonder if this becomes a favourite.

I do like this. Thanks. To me, it's a very different sound. It's kind of compressed sounding...the voices...It's charming.

[Mandryka]

I do like this. Thanks. To me, it's a very different sound. It's kind of compressed sounding...the voices...It's charming.

What do you hear in this that you don't hear in Perkins? I mean in terms of interpretation.

[milk]

What do you hear in this that you don't hear in Perkins? I mean in terms of interpretation.

I'd forgotten about Perkins. I only downloaded one suite of him. I don't know if I was fair to Perkins but where Perkins seemed dry and matter of fact, Videla seems touching in an understated but charming way. Perhaps I should give Perkins more of a chance but that was my initial feeling about it. I can compare Perkins to Leonhardt's performance of the second suite (clavichord). But maybe that's not fair either. Not being musically educated, I feel my view is even more subjective than most. There is a unique quality to the sound of Videla. I'm not sure how to describe it. It's rustic. 

[Mandryka]

Aapo Hakkinen plays Bach on a copy of a harpsichord with a big big bass (Hass 1760), I think there are lots of beautiful things on this recording, not least one of the most interesting performances of BWV 819 I've heard. The tuning and transparency of the harpsichord, and Hakkinen's voicing,  reveals the imaginative counterpoint especially in the allemande and sarabande. Well with hearing this recording I think, there's a lot to enjoy in it.

Hakkinen's the real deal musically, here and in Byrd.

[milk]

Genzoh does a very convinving performance of the partitas here. He commands an instrument that can be charmingly unwieldy at times. But he's very expressive, flexible, employing hesitations - agogics, very effectively. I really feel this recording should be better known. Bach on the Silbermann. Rare, especially for the Partitas.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Moving this here so it doesn't get lost on the WAYLT thread.

Bach, Partitas, disc 1, Gester. Gester is intuitively in sync with Bach's unpredictability in this music, taking in stride the myriad harmonic hurdles building to some of the most melodically sophisticated music Bach ever penned. It's easy to see why Bach was eager to have this music published ("Op.1" indeed).

Great sound, too, along with a great instrument (by Matthias Griewisch, 1999, after Michael Mietke). Overall, just fantastic.   

Definitely interesting! 

Yes, and it's definitely not overpriced. One of the perks.

Overall I'd put Gester in the category of those who like to pause along the way to smell the roses when it comes to the music they're playing, as opposed to someone like, say, Rousset, who seems to revel in the "audaciousness" (i.e. high on the adrenaline) of the music. Not that Gester shies away from "audacious" but his philosophy seems to be to first let the music breathe and build everything naturally. The more I listened the more I recognized an expert at, well, telling a story. It "sings".

Oh, and I neglected to mention the posh packaging, with a gigantic French/English booklet. Another perk. 

[Mr. Minnow]

Any opinions on this?



I'm hesitating on this one as it's not particularly cheap, but the choice of instrument makes it potentially very interesting.

[kishnevi]

Any opinions on this?



I'm hesitating on this one as it's not particularly cheap, but the choice of instrument makes it potentially very interesting.

Try to listen to samples. I have no experience with this performer, but I have found lautenwerk performances to be hit or miss, even with the same performer. I think the actual individual instrument used can have a greater than usual impact.

The concept itself is interesting.

[Mandryka]

Any opinions on this?



I'm hesitating on this one as it's not particularly cheap, but the choice of instrument makes it potentially very interesting.

The instrument is not so beautiful, it is closely recorded and the performances are middle of the road in terms of ideas and mediocre at best in execution. There is a lautenwerk well tempered clavier I like much more from Wolfgang Rubsam, you can buy it from his website.

[prémont]

Any opinions on this?



I'm hesitating on this one as it's not particularly cheap, but the choice of instrument makes it potentially very interesting.

Some time ago I acquired Paul's recordings of the Bach Partitas, English and French suites. A big disappointment. Uninteresting instrument and playing, which - as Mandryka writes - is mediocre at best. I cannot recommend John Paul at all.

[milk]

Moving this here so it doesn't get lost on the WAYLT thread.

Bach, Partitas, disc 1, Gester. Gester is intuitively in sync with Bach's unpredictability in this music, taking in stride the myriad harmonic hurdles building to some of the most melodically sophisticated music Bach ever penned. It's easy to see why Bach was eager to have this music published ("Op.1" indeed).

Great sound, too, along with a great instrument (by Matthias Griewisch, 1999, after Michael Mietke). Overall, just fantastic.   






Yes, and it's definitely not overpriced. One of the perks.

Overall I'd put Gester in the category of those who like to pause along the way to smell the roses when it comes to the music they're playing, as opposed to someone like, say, Rousset, who seems to revel in the "audaciousness" (i.e. high on the adrenaline) of the music. Not that Gester shies away from "audacious" but his philosophy seems to be to first let the music breathe and build everything naturally. The more I listened the more I recognized an expert at, well, telling a story. It "sings".

Oh, and I neglected to mention the posh packaging, with a gigantic French/English booklet. Another perk.

I'm intrigued. But hesitant. I wonder how is stacks up to Moretenson, Suzuki and Leonhardt? It's tempting.

[prémont]

I'm intrigued. But hesitant. I wonder how it stacks up to Mortensen, Suzuki and Leonhardt? It's tempting.

It is more poetic and "feminine" , than the three you mention, which all are very masculine.

As to me I have enjoyed Gester's recording very much.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I'm intrigued. But hesitant. I wonder how is stacks up to Moretenson, Suzuki and Leonhardt? It's tempting.

The only other harpsichord Partitas recording I have is Belder, who, when considering premont's characterizations, might be considered "masculine" next to the more "feminine" Gester, but that shouldn't be taken to mean Gester is "fragile". Indeed, Gester's talent for understatement is what powers (as it were) his distinctively virile approach. Surprises, insights, etc. etc. etc., are spread liberally.

[Mr. Minnow]

Thanks for the replies on John Paul's WTC. I'm glad I asked before buying! I take it Rubsam's version is download only? I couldn't find any mention of a CD release, which is a shame as I much prefer CDs to downloads. I suppose the upside is that a download version won't sell out, so I can wait until I have some cash to spare.

[Mandryka]

I take it Rubsam's version is download only? I couldn't find any mention of a CD release, which is a shame as I much prefer CDs to downloads. I suppose the upside is that a download version won't sell out, so I can wait until I have some cash to spare.

I expect that if you contact him he'll find a way to get you a CD.

[HIPster]

Moving this here so it doesn't get lost on the WAYLT thread.

Bach, Partitas, disc 1, Gester. Gester is intuitively in sync with Bach's unpredictability in this music, taking in stride the myriad harmonic hurdles building to some of the most melodically sophisticated music Bach ever penned. It's easy to see why Bach was eager to have this music published ("Op.1" indeed).

Great sound, too, along with a great instrument (by Matthias Griewisch, 1999, after Michael Mietke). Overall, just fantastic.   






Yes, and it's definitely not overpriced. One of the perks.

Overall I'd put Gester in the category of those who like to pause along the way to smell the roses when it comes to the music they're playing, as opposed to someone like, say, Rousset, who seems to revel in the "audaciousness" (i.e. high on the adrenaline) of the music. Not that Gester shies away from "audacious" but his philosophy seems to be to first let the music breathe and build everything naturally. The more I listened the more I recognized an expert at, well, telling a story. It "sings".

Oh, and I neglected to mention the posh packaging, with a gigantic French/English booklet. Another perk.

Super review, DD! 

I am very interested in this recording.  Not showing on Amazon, however (or at least I cannot find it  ).

Could someone please post a link?

Thanks.

[prémont]

This is where I got it ½ year  ago:

https://www.amazon.fr/Bach-J-S-Clavier-%C3%9Cbung-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B00ITYHBHY/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1504455359&sr=1-4&keywords=martin+gester

[Marc]

This is where I got it ½ year  ago:

https://www.amazon.fr/Bach-J-S-Clavier-%C3%9Cbung-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B00ITYHBHY/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1504455359&sr=1-4&keywords=martin+gester

Another 'French' possibility:

https://www.melomania.com/en/bach-gester-partitas-pour-clavier-bwv-825-830-163460

[prémont]

Another 'French' possibility:

https://www.melomania.com/en/bach-gester-partitas-pour-clavier-bwv-825-830-163460

Seems to be a bit cheaper, if one ignores the postage fee.

[Marc]

Seems to be a bit cheaper, if one ignores the postage fee.

All in all, I paid € 13,99 for it.
Still a very nice price for a 'feminine' touch.