Bach on the piano

[Leo K.]

I like the Partitas record on Great Pianists, and the Goldbergs there too, and the four dueti. The other disc I like is on VAI and it's called something like "The Visionary". Oh I used to play the Partitas on Doremi a lot and thought they were excellent --but since  I got the Great Pianists I never bother with the Doremi because the sound is so much better. I would say that the Great Pianist records sound quite different from the later recordings.

Generally IMO the earlier the better with her.

Thanks Mandryka, I will check those releases out. I was going to get the Doremi but decided to wait for the Great Pianist release instead.

[Leo K.]

Recent discussion has led me to listen to Rubsam, right now listening to his French Suites. I'm really liking what I'm hearing, I can't wait to hear his Partitas.

[Mandryka]

We don't have any recordings of Bach playing, so we will never know, but I think people in those days were very aware of the expressive capability of music  I don't think there is any incompatibility between intimacy or expressiveness and baroque performance practice.  What, to my minding, is romantic piano music is the overwrought, histrionic style of a stereotypical piece by Liszt.   I associate that with performances of Busoni transcriptions.  I listen to that stuff too, sometimes,  but I don't feel that it gets as close to the essence of Bach's music.

Agreed in a way -- I wouldn't like to hear Bach played by Ervin Nyiregyhazi.

[Mandryka]

Recent discussion has led me to listen to Rubsam, right now listening to his French Suites. I'm really liking what I'm hearing, I can't wait to hear his Partitas.

So you don't find that all the hesitations are making you feel a bit sea sick? 

[Leo K.]

So you don't find that all the hesitations are making you feel a bit sea sick? 

Got my sea legs on!

Interesting, from the liner notes by Rubsam, I expected to hear something different from what I'm hearing in performance. There is an intellectual rhetorical quality (almost like Gould), combined with gentleness, romantic-like in tone or quality.

[Scarpia]

Interesting, from the liner notes by Rubsam, I expected to hear something different from what I'm hearing in performance. There is an intellectual rhetorical quality (almost like Gould), combined with gentleness, romantic-like in tone or quality.

I think you've put your finger on it.  For all of the little expressive touches that Rubsam uses (variations in tempo, dynamic shading, variations in articulation) he seems to maintain a strong emphasis on making the individual melodic lines in the contrapuntal texture very clear.  It is like Gould + humanity.

[Sammy]

What is the consensus of Tureck's Goldberg recordings. After the experience of her DG account I wonder what to get next.

And I'm wondering about her Partitas too, which one to get? At least to start since I'll get 'em all eventually

I find her most recent GV account on DG the most rewarding piano version I know.  Her Great Pianist comes next; the VAI versions come in last.

[pbarach]

Perahia's Partitas are some of his best playing on records IMO.

[rickardg]

There is an intellectual rhetorical quality (almost like Gould), combined with gentleness, romantic-like in tone or quality.

I think someone on this thread said that Rubsam plays like the originals were for clavichord rather than harpsichord, which to me fits well with descriptions like this and with my own impressions. FWIW, I really like Rubsam, but I haven't heard a lot of the competition.

I really came here to ask if anyone has heard Andras Schiffs new WTC on ECM?

[Sammy]

I think someone on this thread said that Rubsam plays like the originals were for clavichord rather than harpsichord, which to me fits well with descriptions like this and with my own impressions. FWIW, I really like Rubsam, but I haven't heard a lot of the competition.

I really came here to ask if anyone has heard Andras Schiffs new WTC on ECM?

I recently acquired the new Schiff WTC and find it absolutely stunning.  He covers all the bases from tender refrains to powerful declarations.  Whatever each piece requires, Schiff always delivers:  his caressing of phrases is exquisite and heartwarming while the inner joy he brings to much of Bach's music is spiritually wonderful.  Recording is top-notch.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting all this from Schiff.  Although I loved his ECM Goldbergs, I found it rather thin on delving into Bach's dark side. 
Not so with his WTC; Schiff's a man for all seasons on this one and joins Gould, Gulda, Fellner, Tureck, Woodward and a few others at the top of my preferences.

[DavidRoss]

I recently acquired the new Schiff WTC and find it absolutely stunning.  He covers all the bases from tender refrains to powerful declarations.  Whatever each piece requires, Schiff always delivers:  his caressing of phrases is exquisite and heartwarming while the inner joy he brings to much of Bach's music is spiritually wonderful.  Recording is top-notch.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting all this from Schiff.  Although I loved his ECM Goldbergs, I found it rather thin on delving into Bach's dark side. 
Not so with his WTC; Schiff's a man for all seasons on this one and joins Gould, Gulda, Fellner, Tureck, Woodward and a few others at the top of my preferences.

Oy vey! Don't tell me I need another  WTC set now...? Visiting some of these threads can be dangerous for my bank account!

Question: How did you like Sheppard, Don?

[Brahmsian]

I recently acquired the new Schiff WTC and find it absolutely stunning. 

It is terrific, I agree!

[Sammy]

Oy vey! Don't tell me I need another  WTC set now...? Visiting some of these threads can be dangerous for my bank account!

Question: How did you like Sheppard, Don?

I like it very much although I have to say that it doesn't blow me away like the new Schiff or Sheppard's set of the Partitas. 

[DavidRoss]

I like it very much although I have to say that it doesn't blow me away like the new Schiff or Sheppard's set of the Partitas. 

Wow. Damn the torpedos, just click on "Buy?"

[Coopmv]

Wow. Damn the torpedos, just click on "Buy?"

Can't be easier than one-click checkout ...     

[Opus106]

http://www.youtube.com/v/TdzLWKuo0YA

Excerpts from an interview with András Schiff on the 48. As expected, he has some opinions with which a lot of people may disagree.

[DavidRoss]

Can't be easier than one-click checkout ...     

That's what I did...but for Fellner, not Schiff!

[George]

I recently acquired the new Schiff WTC and find it absolutely stunning.  He covers all the bases from tender refrains to powerful declarations.  Whatever each piece requires, Schiff always delivers:  his caressing of phrases is exquisite and heartwarming while the inner joy he brings to much of Bach's music is spiritually wonderful.  Recording is top-notch.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting all this from Schiff.  Although I loved his ECM Goldbergs, I found it rather thin on delving into Bach's dark side. 
Not so with his WTC; Schiff's a man for all seasons on this one and joins Gould, Gulda, Fellner, Tureck, Woodward and a few others at the top of my preferences.

How does this new one compare with his old Decca set, Don?

[Wakefield]

I recently acquired the new Schiff WTC and find it absolutely stunning.  He covers all the bases from tender refrains to powerful declarations.  Whatever each piece requires, Schiff always delivers:  his caressing of phrases is exquisite and heartwarming while the inner joy he brings to much of Bach's music is spiritually wonderful.  Recording is top-notch.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting all this from Schiff.  Although I loved his ECM Goldbergs, I found it rather thin on delving into Bach's dark side. 
Not so with his WTC; Schiff's a man for all seasons on this one and joins Gould, Gulda, Fellner, Tureck, Woodward and a few others at the top of my preferences.

It's great to know, Don. Some weeks ago, I attended a recital of András Schiff and, as I hoped, it was a formidable experience. Then I thought we're fortunate because Schiff is still a middle-aged man and -if all goes well- we can wait for 20 or more years of recordings by him.

[Wakefield]

http://www.youtube.com/v/TdzLWKuo0YA

Excerpts from an interview with András Schiff on the 48. As expected, he has some opinions with which a lot of people may disagree.

I won't watch this, Navneeth, but Schiff is indeed  a man of strong opinions. He likes to start any comment of the WTC with some "warm" words dedicated to the harpsichord.