Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier

[Bulldog]

I've been listening a few more times to the Pollini WTC I.  Haven't reached a final opinion, if there is such a thing, but the performances seem quite mainstream to me with plenty of energy and excitement in the faster pieces and sufficient angst in the darker preludes and fugues.  It's definitely a worthy piano version with a slight chance of being outstanding.

[Scarpia]

I've been listening a few more times to the Pollini WTC I.  Haven't reached a final opinion, if there is such a thing, but the performances seem quite mainstream to me with plenty of energy and excitement in the faster pieces and sufficient angst in the darker preludes and fugues.  It's definitely a worthy piano version with a slight chance of being outstanding.

Sounds interesting.  I will spring for it when and if WTC II is released.

[Bulldog]

Sounds interesting.  I will spring for it when and if WTC II is released.

I assume your decision is based on a box set being released having price advantages; you are a patient man.  When I want something, I immediately shoot for it.  Delayed gratification is not in my nature.

[Scarpia]

I assume your decision is based on a box set being released having price advantages; you are a patient man.  When I want something, I immediately shoot for it.  Delayed gratification is not in my nature.

Actually, my main motivation is that I like Bk II better than Bk I.  Having Bk I without Bk II would be annoying.

[Franco]

I got Book I just as it came out and will get Book II as soon as it is out as well.

I am a big fan of Pollini and had been awaiting this recording ever since I heard it was in the works.  It has quickly become one of my favorite recordings of the WTC.  Pollini is known for his strong sense of line, prodigious technique and restrained emotionalism - these are all traits which serve Bach well, and the sound of the recording is excellent.

Very highly recommended.

[Scarpia]

I got Book I just as it came out and will get Book II as soon as it is out as well.

I am a big fan of Pollini and had been awaiting this recording ever since I heard it was in the works.  It has quickly become one of my favorite recordings of the WTC.  Pollini is known for his strong sense of line, prodigious technique and restrained emotionalism - these are all traits which serve Bach well, and the sound of the recording is excellent.

Very highly recommended.

Are you implying that DG has made it known that Bk II is in the works?

[Franco]

Are you implying that DG has made it known that Bk II is in the works?

No, I have not heard that - I may be anticipating something not actually in the works.  It took him long enough to get Bk. I out, who knows if he will ever get around to Bk. II - although I am hoping it follows along soon.

[George]

No, I have not heard that - I may be anticipating something not actually in the works.  It took him long enough to get Bk. I out, who knows if he will ever get around to Bk. II - although I am hoping it follows along soon.

Something to keep in mind is that he hasn't finished the complete Beethoven sonatas yet, IIRC. And that project (though not official) was started thirty some-odd years ago.

[DavidRoss]

Val,   Your post is always interesting to me since you probably have the most leading-edge sound system - all digital - among all the folks on this forum.  There is much I can learn from you when I decide to go digital whole hog ...   

All digital?  You mean Valentino (not Val, he's a different member) not only lacks analog sources, but lacks digital-to-analog conversion as well?  What kind of loudspeakers does he have?  And how do they convert the 1s and 0s to sound waves (which are, after all, analog)? 

[Scarpia]

All digital?  You mean Valentino (not Val, he's a different member) not only lacks analog sources, but lacks digital-to-analog conversion as well?  What kind of loudspeakers does he have?  And how do they convert the 1s and 0s to sound waves (which are, after all, analog)?

All digital, that's the way to go!


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exquisite!

[Scarpia]

I assume your decision is based on a box set being released having price advantages; you are a patient man.  When I want something, I immediately shoot for it.  Delayed gratification is not in my nature.

Ok, you've brow-beat me into ordering the Pollini recording.  I hope you're satisfied.   

[Bulldog]

Ok, you've brow-beat me into ordering the Pollini recording.  I hope you're satisfied.   

And I hope you will be satisfied with your purchase.   

[DavidRoss]

All digital, that's the way to go!


  367320: df ff 83 fe be ff 67 fe ae ff 61 fe a2 ff 77 fe 9f ff 62 fe
  367340: a2 ff 3b fe 93 ff 39 fe 7d ff 45 fe 6a ff 49 fe 48 ff 41 fe
  367360: 32 ff 3e fe 11 ff 3a fe  1 ff 2c fe ee fe 1a fe ea fe 11 fe
  367380: f6 fe 12 fe  e ff 10 fe 33 ff 1d fe 5b ff 32 fe 64 ff 2b fe
  367400: 7e ff 20 fe 99 ff 14 fe a8 ff 18 fe b0 ff  c fe b0 ff  8 fe
  367420: a9 ff  2 fe ad ff 10 fe b9 ff 3a fe c4 ff 50 fe da ff 5e fe
  367440: ea ff 77 fe f6 ff 98 fe 10  0 bc fe 29  0 f5 fe 2d  0 3e ff
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exquisite!

[SonicMan46]

I assume your decision is based on a box set being released having price advantages; you are a patient man.  When I want something, I immediately shoot for it.  Delayed gratification is not in my nature.

Well, some complete WTC sets on piano seem to have been lost in the shuffle here?    Jill Crossland on Signum for $30 (4-discs) from MDT 'across the pond' - a previous recommendation from Don (and excellent reviews) - I've owned this set for a while - hard to beat the quality and price?

Also, Robert Woodward - 5CD set for $44 from MDT - excellent review on Amazon by David Cates (who recorded Bach's 'French Suites' on harpsichord); and a Gramophone Editor's Choice for Feb 2010 - I could easily acquired another piano version of these works and this set has me interested! 

 

[Scarpia]

Well, some complete WTC sets on piano seem to have been lost in the shuffle here?    Jill Crossland on Signum for $30 (4-discs) from MDT 'across the pond' - a previous recommendation from Don (and excellent reviews) - I've owned this set for a while - hard to beat the quality and price?

Also, Robert Woodward - 5CD set for $44 from MDT - excellent review on Amazon by David Cates (who recorded Bach's 'French Suites' on harpsichord); and a Gramophone Editor's Choice for Feb 2010 - I could easily acquired another piano version of these works and this set has me interested! 

 

Am already holding Crossland.  That the other manages to stretch it to 5 discs made me suspect that something is wrong, foaming at the mouth reviews or no foaming at the mouth reviews.

[SonicMan46]

Am already holding Crossland.  That the other manages to stretch it to 5 discs made me suspect that something is wrong, foaming at the mouth reviews or no foaming at the mouth reviews.

Scarpia - not to worry about the 5-discs - apparently Bk. 2 can extend to 3 discs - I own the Peter Watchorn offerings on Omnia Musica of the WTC books on the pedal harpsichord - Bk. 1 is 2 discs, while Bk.2 is on 3 discs - explanations are given in the liner notes, so not a reason to avoid this offering by Woodward, if interested?  Dave 

 

[Bulldog]

Am already holding Crossland.  That the other manages to stretch it to 5 discs made me suspect that something is wrong, foaming at the mouth reviews or no foaming at the mouth reviews.

No, there's no reason to be skeptical.  I've been listening to the Woodward, and it's excellent.  Three discs are used for Bk. 2, but the total playing time for Bk. 2 is about 157 minutes.  So, in theory, it could have fit on two discs.
For reference purposes, the Crossland and Suzuki Bk. 2's also take about 157 minutes. 

In a way, I hate bringing up this total time stuff.  It's not how fast or slow the music is played, but what the artist does with the selected tempos.  Woodward does just fine.

[SonicMan46]

No, there's no reason to be skeptical.  I've been listening to the Woodward, and it's excellent.  Three discs are used for Bk. 2, but the total playing time for Bk. 2 is about 157 minutes.  So, in theory, it could have fit on two discs.
For reference purposes, the Crossland and Suzuki Bk. 2's also take about 157 minutes. 

In a way, I hate bringing up this total time stuff.  It's not how fast or slow the music is played, but what the artist does with the selected tempos.  Woodward does just fine.

Just for the record, the Watchorn Bk. 2 w/ 3 discs is 186 minutes - I've not done any analysis of why Peter wants to add an apparent 30 minutes to this book - maybe others can help; but as Don has already stated, the 'bottom line' is not the length of performing these works but the quality of the perfomances - 

[Bulldog]

Ok, you've brow-beat me into ordering the Pollini recording.  I hope you're satisfied.   

Not to beat a dead horse, but I'm not really satisfied.  I just did some comparison between Pollini and Woodward; Woodward is way better.

I'm not kidding.  Woodward is a thinking person's version, and I know you do a lot of thinking.

[George]

What do you think of this one, Don (and others)?