5 favorite Well Tempered Clavier recordings and why

[FelixSkodi]

1. Lewis (to call it unique is an understatement)
2. Kirkpatrick (the only, I think, complete on the clavichord)
3. Levin (I would say this is the hip reference)
4. Koroliov (I would say this is the modern reference)
5. Richter (my first, and thus close to my heart)

[SimonNZ]

Is that John Lewis? Interesting. That recording hasn't been on my radar at all.

[Jo498]

3. Levin (I would say this is the hip reference)

This is the one with 5? different instruments?

[FelixSkodi]

This is the one with 5? different instruments?

Yes, that's the one.

[SonicMan46]

TTT After 3 Years! 

Well, I already own 6 versions of the WTC (3 on piano; 3 on harpsichord) (see attachment) but saw the one below at a Presto Music sale for $13 USD (5 CDs) w/ Wolfgang Rubsam on a lute harpsichord made by Keith Hill - the recordings were done by Rubsam and stated to be from 2016-2017 according to the booklet.  Currently listening to BK. 1 and enjoying - some comments attached for those interested - after BK. 2 tomorrow, may have to cull one out; already have too many for my needs -     Dave

 

[prémont]

TTT After 3 Years! 

Well, I already own 6 versions of the WTC (3 on piano; 3 on harpsichord) (see attachment) but saw the one below at a Presto Music sale for $13 USD (5 CDs) w/ Wolfgang Rubsam on a lute harpsichord made by Keith Hill - the recordings were done by Rubsam and stated to be from 2016-2017 according to the booklet.  Currently listening to BK. 1 and enjoying - some comments attached for those interested - after BK. 2 tomorrow, may have to cull one out; already have too many for my needs -    Dave

 

I have known Rübsam's WTC for five years and find it generally very imaginative. But I would say it's hit or miss because his style is rather individual. You may like it or not, I can't know.

My prefered recordings of WTC are for the most part harpsichord versions.

Book I and II

Colin Booth ***
Gustav Leonhardt ***
David Moroney
Steven Devine
Colin Tilney (book I on clavichord)

Book II

Anneke Uittenbosch
Giedre Luksaite-Mrazkova

but the list of worthwhile recordings is long

Paticularly interesting are the ones using different instruments for different P&Fs. Levin, Chorzempa and Baiano. And the clavichord recording by Jaroslav Tuma, IMO preferable to Kirkpatrick.

[SonicMan46]

I have known Rübsam's WTC for five years and find it generally very imaginative. But I would say it's hit or miss because his style is rather individual. You may like it or not, I can't know.

My prefered recordings of WTC are for the most part harpsichord versions Book I and II

Colin Booth ***
Gustav Leonhardt ***
David Moroney
Steven Devine
Colin Tilney (book I on clavichord)

Book II

Anneke Uittenbosch
Giedre Luksaite-Mrazkova

but the list of worthwhile recordings is long

Paticularly interesting are the ones using different instruments for different P&Fs. Levin, Chorzempa and Baiano. And the clavichord recording by Jaroslav Tuma, IMO preferable to Kirkpatrick.

Thanks Premont for your comments - I've been culling these works for decades and probably use to own 6 or so other versions (my current 6 are in my previous post) - for the harpsichord, I like Booth and Schornsheim - Glen Wilson I find somewhat reverberant and clanky at times.

Now I'm really enjoying Rübsam's lute harpsichord on these 'new' recordings from 2016-17 - my only other experience w/ his performances are the 'French Suites' - I believe these will be keepers for me.  Dave

[prémont]

Thanks Premont for your comments - I've been culling these works for decades and probably use to own 6 or so other versions (my current 6 are in my previous post) - for the harpsichord, I like Booth and Schornsheim - Glen Wilson I find somewhat reverberant and clanky at times.

Now I'm really enjoying Rübsam's lute harpsichord on these 'new' recordings from 2016-17 - my only other experience w/ his performances are the 'French Suites' - I believe these will be keepers for me.  Dave

Yes, I rather much agree with you in that Schornsheim is enjoyable - wonderful instrument, and that Wilson isn't quite as interesting as the rumor says. I have also enjoyed Rübsam's French suites (both on lute harpsichord and on piano), and generally I think his style is well suited (pun intended - ) to the French suites. If I was you I would cull Wilson and acquire Leonhardt or Tilney instead - if available. As to piano versions I would be happy with Janssen. Don't know Crossland's WTC nor Schiff's second WTC. His first WTC I culled finding it hopelessly contrived.

[San Antone]

Yes, I rather much agree with you in that Schornsheim is enjoyable - wonderful instrument

Have you been following Schornsheim's traversal of Book 2 on the All of Bach site?   I am finding it wonderful. 

[prémont]

Have you been following Schornsheim's traversal of Book 2 on the All of Bach site?   I am finding it wonderful. 

No, not yet. Too much else to listen to. But I certainly shall explore it.

[San Antone]

No, not yet. Too much else to listen to. But I certainly shall explore it.

She is nearing the end. 

Bach - WTC II Prelude and fugue no. 22 in B-flat minor BWV 891

[Mandryka]

@SonicMan46 I would think twice before disposing of Wilson's - there are enough ideas in there to make it a valuable performance IMO.

[prémont]

@SonicMan46 I would think twice before disposing of Wilson's - there are enough ideas in there to make it a valuable performance IMO.

Yes, right IMO too. But SonicMan46 -for considerations of space, I think - only wants to own three different recordings. (and don't tell me that Wilson is in the top three). SonicMan46 has often culled valuable CDs for that reason.

[Mandryka]

Yes, right IMO too. But SonicMan46 -for considerations of space, I think - only wants to own three different recordings. (and don't tell me that Wilson is in the top three). SonicMan46 has often culled valuable CDs for that reason.

I think at the end of the day the Wilson is too tense for me. It's quite a shock compared with the two you mentioned - Tilney and Leonhardt.

[SonicMan46]

@SonicMan46 I would think twice before disposing of Wilson's - there are enough ideas in there to make it a valuable performance IMO.

Yes, right IMO too. But SonicMan46 -for considerations of space, I think - only wants to own three different recordings. (and don't tell me that Wilson is in the top three). SonicMan46 has often culled valuable CDs for that reason.

I think at the end of the day the Wilson is too tense for me. It's quite a shock compared with the two you mentioned - Tilney and Leonhardt.

- from another thread!
I became acquainted with Rübsam's entire collection of the lautenwerk recordings when they first began coming out, and purchased them from his website a couple of years ago.  Initially I was very excited with his playing, but over time, his eccentricities began to compromise my enjoyment of the music. 

I do not regret buying them, and listen to them now in small doses. I am able to enjoy them in that manner.........

Well all, thanks for the great comments.  First, I re-listened to Glen Wilson (and re-read an old review by Don Satz, our Bulldog a while back - conclusion quoted at bottom w/ link) and decided to keep despite some minor quibbles.  Second, I agree w/ San Antone about Rübsam, i.e. his lute harpsichord does get a little too ornate and somewhat monotonous, esp. in the second book - I'll have to do another hearing (liked the first book more).

Finally, I'm listening to Gustav Leonhardt on Spotify and am impressed (re-heard Schornsheim yesterday and was equally impressed) - could just make him a playlist if the urge to listen to Gustav again hits me or start looking for some reasonably priced 'used' sets?  Dave

P.S. Leonhardt is not even mentioned until the 3rd or so page of this thread and few seem to put him at the top w/ others - what is his real current status (those recordings are from the early 70s at least - please correct me - not even sure 'how many' WTCs he may have recorded?)

Don's Conclusions: Three great sets with Wilson's being the best harpsichord version I know. (Source - note from 2002)

[Mandryka]

I felt that the transfer of Leonhardt's Book 2 from Japan was worth seeking out, though it may be impossible to find now.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/LEONHARDT/dp/B01MD1FZTB/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2W0R8S3XT7TDK&keywords=well+tempered+leonhardt&qid=1688396900&sprefix=well+tempered+leonhardt%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-3

[DavidW]

Now I'm really enjoying Rübsam's lute harpsichord on these 'new' recordings from 2016-17 - my only other experience w/ his performances are the 'French Suites' - I believe these will be keepers for me.  Dave

I tried Rubsam's Partitas earlier this week.  I enjoy the sound of the instrument, but I feel that his playing is overly romanticized or eccentric.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel that it was even more of an acquired taste than his recordings on Naxos.

[prémont]

I felt that the transfer of Leonhardt's Book 2 from Japan was worth seeking out, though it may be impossible to find now.

Yes indeed.

Book I was recorded a bit later than book II and here DHM's recorded sound was better already from the beginning. But even for book I the Japanese release was an improvement all the same.

[prémont]

I tried Rubsam's Partitas earlier this week.  I enjoy the sound of the instrument, but I feel that his playing is overly romanticized or eccentric.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel that it was even more of an acquired taste than his recordings on Naxos.

He has become more eccentric in the course of his lute harpsichord recordings (who thought it possible?). The partitas and the toccatas are until now the latest of the recordings. In a way I find it mentally exhausting to listen to these and do follow San Antone's advice of listening to small bits at a time. The most successful of his Bach-on-the-lute-harpsichord recordings are in my opinion his arrangements of the cello suites while his violin S&P feels a bit laboured in these ears. Others may of course feel in another way.

[SonicMan46]

I felt that the transfer of Leonhardt's Book 2 from Japan was worth seeking out, though it may be impossible to find now.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/LEONHARDT/dp/B01MD1FZTB/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2W0R8S3XT7TDK&keywords=well+tempered+leonhardt&qid=1688396900&sprefix=well+tempered+leonhardt%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-3

Yes indeed.

Book I was recorded a bit later than book II and here DHM's recorded sound was better already from the beginning. But even for book I the Japanese release was an improvement all the same.

Well, I found the Leonhardt versions below both on DHM - assume these are the earlier releases where the recorded sound is not up to the Japanese productions?  Not sure the latter are even available?  Dave