Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Jordi Savall, Hesperion XX :: Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge

Amazing refinement and clarity

Simon Zaleski | 03/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jordi Savall's rather unique recording of this Bach masterpiece uses a consort of viols...treble, alto (!), tenor, and bass viols and also a consort of winds...cornetto, oboe da caccia, tenor trombone, and bassoon. Some pieces are recorded with strings alone, others with winds alone, and some with both of them.



Throughout, though, there is an amazing clarity and quality of tone and the counterpoint is brought out beautifully. The performers do not obscure the lines by using excessive vibrato or too many players on a part; yet, the playing is still expressive and beautiful. The smaller viols sound wonderful on the high notes, and the lower viols have a resonant yet clear tone that you don't find from a modern violin-based string quartet.



I agree with our other reviewer here...this must be the best recording of the Art of Fugue money can buy at this point, and that's saying something, because I have heard several other versions by top performers...yet Jordi Savall's unique but insightful rendition wins the five stars!



Oh, and do yourself a favor...if you want to buy this item along with the musical offering, don't buy them together as suggested by Amazon. It's cheaper to buy them in the boxed set called "Bach's Testament" which Amazon also sells. :) I would recommend buying that too, by the way, as the recording of the musical offering is also great."

Essential

Simon Zaleski | 12/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Best "Art of Fugue" I've heard. The small orchestra befits the music. I have versions for organ, piano, string quartet, viol consort, and I feel as if Savall and his group give the most satisfying performance overall. A very spiritual recording of Bach's last great masterpiece."

Fantastic!

Musicus | Oslo, Norway | 06/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This double CD is fantastic! Yes, it is appealing very much to my fantasy, my imagination. It makes me think of Bach as some folk music composer, partly because of the weird colours of the 'authentic' instrumentation, of course. But in fact, the - modern! - Juillard string quartet made me think of folk music, too, so there is probably something in the theme that Bach chose that hints to such an aspect of folk music, which makes me think of some ancient legend told. The very rich colours and the warm, beautiful playing make me consider this one of the best Art of the Fugue, certainly the most fantasy-appealing.

Munchinger has a very emotional Art of the Fugue, with modern orchestra, unmissable. Quite elegant, not so emotional, rather laid back, is Ristenpart's performance, for orchestra too."