Johann would have approved
DCH | Nashville TN | 06/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I wonder if that idiot who wrote about stomping feet ever bothered to listen to either of Mr. Bullards cds. If he had, he would have found tasteful, respectful, even reverent translations of pieces from the height of the baroque. Bach himself wrote that his two and three part inventions were designed to teach the player the "singing style" with each hand; this is in some ways a microcosm of the baroque precepts of polyphony and counterpoint. Mr. Bullard lets each "hand" speak for itself. If you're a classical music novice like myself, it is much easier to make sense of and follow the fugue when each voice is played on a different instrument, and this cd has increased my appreciation of Bach and Handel far beyond the pieces found here.
However, there's no reason to be overanalytical. This cd stands on its own. If you really enjoy music, reject any snobbery and subscribe to the view that "If it sounds good, it is good", you'll probably love this album and also its forerunner."
Nice change
Timothy P. Langan | Pensacola, FL USA | 09/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Admittedly, I bought this CD for Bach's Violin Partita No. 3 in E - Prelude (My favorite piece of all time). However, this whole CD should provide any Baroque listener with as much enjoyment as it does for me. The transciption for banjo is an interesting change from typical classical instruments, and it sheds some new light on Bach's genius. Even being played on their non-native instruments, Bach's pieces never lose their ability to wow me. I highly recommend to any fan of Bach."