Q: Hewitt in WTC?

[The new erato]

See this is out as a 4 CD box at a great price. I have the Moroney on hpsch and the historical Edwin Fischer, but am interested in a piano recording in modern sound. Any views on this? Ashkenazys set has also been available recently at a good price, overheard a few snippets of this in a shop and was quite impressed.

[Bach Man]

I think Hewitt is better than Ashkenazy. His approach is pretty much what you expect from of a big Russian piano virtuoso. In comparison Hewitt has a lighter "singing and dancing" quality. You can tell she thought long and hard about the interpretation, and the liner notes, written by Angela herself, actually discusses every prelude and fugue in detail (in the original release anyway). Sound is a bit muffled, but I have heard it improve when played through good quality equipment.

[henry]

Hi erato:

Where did you see the WTC released as a box set?  Can you give me the link?  I'm also interested.  Thank you.

[The new erato]

14 GBP at

http://www.europadisc.co.uk/classical/51310/Bach_(Angela_Hewitt).htm

[Don]

For modern-sound recordings, both Ashkenazy and Hewitt are fine choices.  However, I don't think that either of them are among the best versions available.

[Bach Man]

For modern-sound recordings, both Ashkenazy and Hewitt are fine choices.  However, I don't think that either of them are among the best versions available.

Would you like to share some recommendations?

[SonicMan46]

I've Hewitt in the first book of the WTC (below) - did not buy the second book (had Jando on Naxos, which has received good reviews); I like much of her Baroque keyboard recordings - overall excellent rating (4*/5) by the Amazonians, although the range of ratings is interesting w/ lower scores given for sound recording (can't agree w/ the comments, however, from my listening right now); also, received a Rosette rating in the Penguin Guide & a premier recommendation in the Third Ear, i.e. for a modern piano version.

However, I'd be 'open' to more suggestions, both modern & historic piano, and also harpsichord recordings of these works - 

 

[Don]

Would you like to share some recommendations?

For modern piano recordings, Till Fellner/Book 1 on ECM is exceptional.  Also think very highly of Andre Vieru on Alpha Productions and Schepkin on Ongaku.  Then there's Edward Aldwell on Nonesuch; his sets might be currently oop.

Going back some in time, there's Gould, Tureck, Richter, Feinberg and Gulda in addition to the Fischer.  Each one of them is much better than Ashkenazy or Hewitt.  Evelyn Crochet on Music and Arts also is a step up.  I'd even play Schiff's sets before Ash./Hewitt.

On harpsichord : Leonhardt, Hantai, Gilbert, Suzuki, Dantone, Wilson, Verlet, van Asperen, Ross, Jaccottet, Parmentier and Landowska come to mind with Wilson my favored version.

I've been listening a lot to a piano version that was sent to me by Jill Crossland's team - she's also strong on fortepiano recordings.  Anyways, her Book I should be out soon the Signum label.  After listening to it a few times, I'm thinking it could end up being my favorite of all piano versions.

Overall, the discography is large and heavily populated with sensational performances.  That's why I can't get too worked up about Ashkenazy or Hewitt.