Bach French Suites

[Mandryka]

Bob van Asperen's French Suites still features one of the very best harpsichord sounds I've ever heard in my life. I don't know what it is about it, but it sounds fucking phenomenal! Too bad it's impossible to find on CD.

Christian Vater 1738 in Nuremberg National Museum - as far as I know this is the only recording of the instrument. There are many recordings of modern harpsichords "after" the Christian Vater 1738, but it's not the same! The sound is strong and rich, but not specially refined or delicate. As far as the performances go, it's very decorative - what I mean is, he lays on both ornamentation and rubato liberally. In a sense it could be seen as a preliminary study for his extraordinary hardcore decorated Art of Fugue.

[Mandryka]

This is an interesting one, impetuous and passionate. Someone I know compared Blandine Verlet to Martha Argerich, and listening this morning that comparison came to mind.

[Que]

Bob van Asperen's French Suites still features one of the very best harpsichord sounds I've ever heard in my life. I don't know what it is about it, but it sounds fucking phenomenal! Too bad it's impossible to find on CD.

I know... I waited to long and am now empty handed..... 

The good news is that Æolus actually reissues recordings that run out of print - bless them for this old fashioned attitude...

Q

[milk]

Bob van Asperen's French Suites still features one of the very best harpsichord sounds I've ever heard in my life. I don't know what it is about it, but it sounds fucking phenomenal! Too bad it's impossible to find on CD.

this and Bradley Brookshire are my favorites I've never heard an instrument sound quite like Van Asperen's.

[Mandryka]

this and Bradley Brookshire are my favorites I've never heard an instrument sound quite like Van Asperen's.

Bradley Brookshire uses a modern harpsichord based on the Nuremberg Vater, I agree it sounds different.

[milk]

Well, so far this makes much more sense to me than his other lute harpsichord recordings of Bach. I like this although I do struggle with having listened to this work too much.

[Mandryka]

Well, so far this makes much more sense to me than his other lute harpsichord recordings of Bach. I like this although I do struggle with having listened to this work too much.

I think the Rübsam approach is most fruitful in polyphony, less so in music where there's only one interesting voice.

[springrite]

I only have a few recordings of these works, but Gavrilov/EMI (piano) would really be my desert-island choice & it's more or less enough for me.
Btw the budget twofer also has Bunin in some further Bach works, likewise good.

I have quite a few versions and this is the one I return to the most.

[milk]

I have quite a few versions and this is the one I return to the most.

I'm struggling to understand what it is about Gavrilov. To me, it almost sounds like he was playing to a click-track. But admittedly, I just sampled a little bit of it.

[bioluminescentsquid]

Well, so far this makes much more sense to me than his other lute harpsichord recordings of Bach. I like this although I do struggle with having listened to this work too much.

I'm with milk on this - to me it makes much more sense in this sort of music (a little of 'Style brisé' feel) than in strict polyphony.
'

[Mandryka]

to me it makes much more sense in this sort of music (a little of 'Style brisé' feel) than in strict polyphony.
'

[prémont]

Well, so far this makes much more sense to me than his other lute harpsichord recordings of Bach. I like this although I do struggle with having listened to this work too much.

I think the Rübsam approach is most fruitful in polyphony, less so in music where there's only one interesting voice.

I'm with milk on this - to me it makes much more sense in this sort of music (a little of 'Style brisé' feel) than in strict polyphony.
'

I stand mid between, because I think Rübsam's style makes sense both in polyphonic music and in lute-like music.

[SonicMan46]

French Suites below in my collection - a different instrument for each recording which I like - could add another one and I do like the lute harpsichord - curious what the current thoughts may be on the Rübsam recording?  Thanks - Dave

   

[Mandryka]

French Suites below in my collection - a different instrument for each recording which I like - could add another one and I do like the lute harpsichord - curious what the current thoughts may be on the Rübsam recording?  Thanks - Dave

   

The Rubsam is well worth hearing.

[Mandryka]

French Suites below in my collection - a different instrument for each recording which I like -

You may enjoy Paul Beier on lute.

[SonicMan46]

The Rubsam is well worth hearing.

Thanks Mandryka - just checked Spotify and the recording is available - will take a listen soon - Dave

[prémont]

The French suites are rather elusive, and most recordings I have heard miss their intimate and small scale character. Some, which I think are successful, are:

On harpsichord:
Christopher Hogwood
Bob van Asperen
Peter-Jan Belder
Ton Koopman

On lute-harpsichord:
Wolfgang Rübsam

On clavichord:
Colin Tilney

On piano:
Wolfgang Rübsam
Ivo Janssen

[SonicMan46]

The French suites are rather elusive, and most recordings I have heard miss their intimate and small scale character. Some, which I think are successful, are:

On harpsichord:
Christopher Hogwood
Bob van Asperen
Peter-Jan Belder
Ton Koopman

On lute-harpsichord:
Wolfgang Rübsam

On clavichord:
Colin Tilney

On piano:
Wolfgang Rübsam
Ivo Janssen

Hi : premont : - appreciate your 'expert' advise - well, I do have Tilney & Janssen covered; a while back for harpsichord, I culled out David Cates and added Suszuki and happy w/ his performances - SO, adding Rübsam on the lute harpsichord seems reasonable.  Thanks again - Dave

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

As for piano version, I find Edward Aldwell's playing unique and somehow antique/medieval-like. While I like Janssen's box, I am not a big fan of his French Suites.  Plus 1 for van Asperen harpsichord. Also I like the old recording by Leonhardt.

[milk]

Way back when, I had a fondness for Bradley Brookshire. I have to delisted. I love Van Asperen. That harpsichord he plays is something special.