Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Ottavio Dantone :: Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Clavier, Teil II

An excellent well tempered clavier book 2

r.b. | Great Britain | 06/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing Ottavio Dantone's recording of book 1 recently i did not have high hopes for his performance of book 2.What a surprise, his interpretation has a wonderful combination of vitality and sensitivity backed up with remarkable sound quality .It seems he is more comfortable with the music and the frequent hesitations which spoil his account of book 1 are less in evidence for his book 2;as a result the playing is more natural.As the other reviews mention the harpsichord is a copy of a Blanchet and sounds magnificent with plenty of bass and enough treble without being harsh.

If you are looking for a good complete recording of Bach's well tempered clavier on harpsichord then i thoroughly recommend Dantone's book 2 with either Bob van Asperen or Luc Beausejour for book 1."

Excellent recording

esseyo | Jersey City, NJ United States | 12/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been highly anticipating the release of this recording in the US. Having heard a number of harpsichord WTC recordings of which all were unsatisfying due to poor choice of instrument, indulgent tempos, or agonizingly dry playing, I was thinking I would never find a great harpsichord WTC recording. Dantone's recording is a great harpsichord recording that will stand the test of time. The preludes are played superbly with well placed and well choosen ornaments, rubato, and sighs. The tempo of the fugues avoid extremes and are very satisfyingly played. Some such as the g minor fugue is played much more satisfyingly than Gould though on a couple of fugues Gould's piano has the advantage.The harpsichord sounds fantastic with a tempered treble and resonant bass. It is based on a Blanchet harpsichord and tuned to Kirnberger A=415 Hz. I feel the tuning adds something extra to the recording. Very highly recommended."

Very nice.

Classical Lawyer | Columbia, SC | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautifully played. These pieces are hard enough to play on piano, but this artist manages to convey multiple emotions notwithstanding the limited tonal range of the harpsichord. The tuning at A-415 is a downside for me, but that's only because I'm blessed (cursed?) with absolute pitch. But, that idiosyncratic quibble aside, these are terrific recordings."