Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier

[George]

Web sites ring with the praises of these recordings from people who listening to illegitimate copies.  What a sucker I would be to actually buy the thing.  Probably there is only one copy in circulation and it hasn't gotten to my town yet.

You're not a member at Demonoid? It's been seeding there for a few days.

[Opus106]

You're not a member at Demonoid? It's been seeding there for a few days.

14! That's the largest I've seen for a classical album... at least among the ones I have seen/searched for so far, anyway

[George]

14! That's the largest I've seen for a classical album... at least among the ones I have seen/searched for so far, anyway

Right and how many downloaded?  I bet over a couple hundred.

I was the one who requested the re-seed BTW.  0:)

[Scarpia]

You're not a member at Demonoid? It's been seeding there for a few days.

What's a Demonoid?   

[Opus106]

Right and how many downloaded?  I bet over a couple hundred.

If you mean the files, a little over a hundred at the moment.

[Clever Hans]

To reiterate, just because Koroliov is on a label without good circulation in the US, doesn't mean he's an obscure Bach pianist.

To give some examples,

Aside from the two critics at Classics Today, Distler (who also writes for Gramophone) and Hurwitz.

His Book II and Goldberg variations each received a Diapason d'Or.

His Art of Fugue was editor's choice in Gramophone.
And of course, there's that famous quote from György Ligeti, who is one of if not the greatest composer of the 2nd half of the 20th century.

Unfortunately, however, he has been overshadowed in the markets by Schiff, Hewitt, and Perahia. Perahia, of course, has done the Partitas and English suites, which Koroliov has not recorded. Schiff is a mincing pianist in everything, and he screws with the counterpoint in Bach. Hewitt is too timid, genteel, and bird-like for me at least. Just because they have been more heavily promoted, and have a politely appealing sound, does not mean they are on the same interpretive level

[DarkAngel]

To reiterate, just because Koroliov is on a label without good circulation in the US, doesn't mean he's an
Unfortunately, however, he has been overshadowed in the markets by Schiff, Hewitt, and Perahia. Perahia, of course, has done the Partitas and English suites, which Koroliov has not recorded. Schiff is a mincing pianist in everything, and he screws with the counterpoint in Bach. Hewitt is too timid, genteel, and bird-like for me at least. Just because they have been more heavily promoted, and have a politely appealing sound, does not mean they are on the same interpretive level

Hans did you originally make the comment about Angela Hewitt sounding like a small bird pecking away gently at the paino keys below.......
I love that description and have used it a few times here 

I think the reason I like her 1st set of WTC better is that she uses a Steinway and it has more power and stronger dymanic range, the new set with the lighter clearer toned Fasoli piano just accentuates the bird like quality.....

[Scarpia]

I'm not down with that, the Fasoli piano has a very rich sound, not at all "lightweight" compared with a Steinway, IMO.

To change the subject somewhat, what do you all think of the Watchorn?  And what's with Egarr, why did he stop after Book I?

[DarkAngel]

I'm not down with that, the Fasoli piano has a very rich sound, not at all "lightweight" compared with a Steinway, IMO.

To change the subject somewhat, what do you all think of the Watchorn?  And what's with Egarr, why did he stop after Book I?

I must correct myself the name is Fazioli piano, and one of its selling points is a 4th pedal that supposed to more easily accurately produce soft sounds, less force used on strings.......but for me this is not what Hewitt needs more of in her new WTC, I long for her more dramatic sounding (less soft) original set.

Watchorn WTC I
Has been mention by a few people in this thread all positive as I recall, I really like the rich full sound of the pedal harpsicord he uses which makes it unique and highly desireable version

[Bulldog]

To change the subject somewhat, what do you all think of the Watchorn?  And what's with Egarr, why did he stop after Book I?

There have been many favorable comments on this board about Watchorn's WTC, mine among them.  As for Egarr, he's made some recordings of Bach, Handel and Purcell since his WTC I; I assume he will eventually get to BK. 2, and I'm having no problem being patient about it since his Bk. 1 is not what I would call a compelling account.  However, it is much better than his Goldbergs disc.

[Scarpia]

Thanks for your comments on Watchorn.  In addition to his playing, I'm curious as to whether the tuning method he advocates makes any distinctive difference.  I've recently been listening to Ashkenazy's account and there have been times when I have wondered whether the piano was tuned in something other than even temperament.  On the other hand, maybe my ears are just going.

[Antoine Marchand]

There have been many favorable comments on this board about Watchorn's WTC, mine among them.  As for Egarr, he's made some recordings of Bach, Handel and Purcell since his WTC I; I assume he will eventually get to BK. 2, and I'm having no problem being patient about it since his Bk. 1 is not what I would call a compelling account.  However, it is much better than his Goldbergs disc.

Apparently that BK. 2 by Egarr was already recorded and even produced because some weeks ago, IIRC, I saw the picture of its cover in another forum. And Watchorn: IMO, a superior recording, although I have just listened to his Bk. 1. 

P.S.: About Watchorn - somewhere in this thread you will find my hysterical reaction when I knew his Bk. 1.   

[Clever Hans]

Hans did you originally make the comment about Angela Hewitt sounding like a small bird pecking away gently at the paino keys below.......
I love that description and have used it a few times here 

I think the reason I like her 1st set of WTC better is that she uses a Steinway and it has more power and stronger dymanic range, the new set with the lighter clearer toned Fasoli piano just accentuates the bird like quality.....

Yeah, it's also the acoustic the producers use. Personally, I think smoother sounding instruments have less character. But Fazioli this, Fazioli that.

[DavidRoss]

My, my.  Through the wonders of modern technology I've been able to hear a good bit of Koroliov's WTC.  At the risk of going just a wee bit overboard, I must say it sounds pretty damned near perfect to me.  I guess MDT (or some other vendor) will be getting another order for it in the near future.

I still like Schiff, however, and Crossland, and Hewitt as well, though I've yet to hear more than samples from her newer recording with the Fazioli.

[Scarpia]

My, my.  Through the wonders of modern technology I've been able to hear a good bit of Koroliov's WTC.  At the risk of going just a wee bit overboard, I must say it sounds pretty damned near perfect to me.  I guess MDT (or some other vendor) will be getting another order for it in the near future.

I still like Schiff, however, and Crossland, and Hewitt as well, though I've yet to hear more than samples from her newer recording with the Fazioli.

The wonders of modern technology have led me to a similar conclusion.   If they ever offer the thing for sale in the states I may buy it.  Until then, I will be relying on the wonders of technology.

In the mean time, I'd like to add a set on harpsichord/clavichord and when I listen to the excerpts Watchorn just doesn't do it for me.  From what I've heard Glen Wilson appeals to me most, but the set is oop and rare.  I managed to pick up a used set of part II in good condition for a good price, but part I is a problem, it will show up eventually.

[DarkAngel]

My, my.  Through the wonders of modern technology I've been able to hear a good bit of Koroliov's WTC.  At the risk of going just a wee bit overboard, I must say it sounds pretty damned near perfect to me.  I guess MDT (or some other vendor) will be getting another order for it in the near future.

Next

[Opus106]

As Bunny mentioned earlier here best way to get the Koroliov WTC and much more is in the Bach keyboard 16 CD Hanssler boxset for $40 from Berkshire Record Outlet.......mine is due to arrive tomorrow, I will post a picture of the contents

No, sir, that 16-disc-er does not contain the WTC. Goldbergs, Italian Concerto, and some other things filling up a CD or two, or four... but not the WTC. (If anything, they should have included Levin's WTC, to make it a completely PI affair.) But congratulations on the acquisition nevertheless.

[Scarpia]

As Bunny mentioned earlier here best way to get the Koroliov WTC and much more is in the Bach keyboard 16 CD Hanssler boxset for $40 from Berkshire Record Outlet.......mine is due to arrive tomorrow, I will post a picture of the contents

Koroliov's WTC is on the Tacet label.

[DarkAngel]

No, sir, that 16-disc-er does not contain the WTC. Goldbergs, Italian Concerto, and some other things filling up a CD or two, or four... but not the WTC. (If anything, they should have included Levin's WTC, to make it a completely PI affair.) But congratulations on the acquisition nevertheless.

OMG......you may be be right, will have to see tomorrow......how can there be no WTC?

[DavidRoss]

No, sir, that 16-disc-er does not contain the WTC. Goldbergs, Italian Concerto, and some other things filling up a CD or two, or four... but not the WTC. (If anything, they should have included Levin's WTC, to make it a completely PI affair.) But congratulations on the acquisition nevertheless.

Beat me to it.  I just looked this up, too.  Not sure I really want Koroliov's WTC anyway, as subsequent listening indicates a a relentless quality that wears on me as Schiff or Hewitt, for instance, do not.  I heard it last night, and am hearing it again this morning. I'll keep listening, but already I'm less satisfied than that first impression suggested.

Here's a more complete listing from Arkiv's site: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=50261