Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Grigory Sokolov :: Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge

As it was meant to be played...

Linda N. McLeod | Vallejo, California United States | 01/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Scholars have disputed the intended instrumentation of Bach's Der Kunst der Fuge for years. Many performers have cast this work for string quartet or organ, even woodwind instruments or orchestra. In my opinion, no recording has made as great a stance for the performance of these fugues on piano as this one by Grigory Sokolov. His playing has great energy and control, with enlivening dynamics that highlight the uniqueness of each fugue. In the mirror fugues, for example, he contrasts each "side of the mirror" by varying the volume and mood. What I especially enjoy about Sokolov's performance is his ability to seperate out the four different voices in the fugues. Usually this would be the chief problem with playing such a dense work as the Art of Fugue on piano, but Sokolov manages to highlight every single entrance of the theme or themes, meaning you won't be listening awestruck to just a mesh of unmelodious sound. Sokolov reveals the secrets of fugue with the clarity one would typically expect only from a performance played on multiple instruments. In the final unfinished fugue especially, the three different presented themes stand out in wonderful counterpoint without requiring any deliberate attentive listening. Also, the addition of Bach's Partita No.2 on disc 2 provides a great way to unwind after having listened to the entirety this german master's last great masterpiece.Those of you who would normally prefer The Art of Fugue performed by an ensemble should consider this stunning performance on piano!"

Intense Bach

carol France | 04/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After many years of Glenn Gould and Bach, I am saturated and cannot hear a note of Gould nor of Bach, and my least favorite CD is Sokolov's Bach, although this pianist is my favorite.One fine day, in my car, in tropical Florida, in the breeze, watching the pelicans fly above the blue sea, in the sunset, I listened to my Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov playing Bach, and suddenly my meaningless life was beautiful again.There was an intensity never heard before, a sadness so profound it made me weep, waves of forgotten emotions overwhelming me. I understood Sokolov played Bach the way I wanted Bach to be, moving, complex, subtle, passionate, deep, unpredictable.I will buy any CD played by Sokolov, he is truly my pianist, the one who can express what I want to hear. He has those magic fingers that are so fine and powerful, graceful and passionate, forever changing, just like life, with its joys and sorrows."

Roll Over ...Glenn Gould

Asher Wade | Jerusalem Israel | 09/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are captivated by J.S. Bach, and you have been infatuated by Glenn Gould's piano performances, especially of Bach, then you are truly in for a treat with this CD. Grigory Sokolov's performance here is frighteningly beautiful. It's true, he doesn't hum-m-m, nor sing along with his playing, and he also doesn't mystify you with a "catch-you-off-guard" rubato like Glenn often does (and this does have it's place, ...I think!?). And, this is not to say that I have fallen out with Glenn's performances, which I haven't, ...however, the power and the way Sokolov pushes the music with such emotional force, adding in the sparkling, clean brillance of his stacatto of the upper register of his piano, simply shakes the entire CNS (central nervous system). Two of the best examples of this are both on the second CD; Track #5: Canon 17 alla Duodecima in Contrapunto alla Quinta, and Track #10 Rondeau in Partita Nr. 2 in C-minor. Put these on "Rep 1" (repeat) on your CD player, turn down/off all bass and extra-bass supplements, turn up the tenor control, crank up the volume and ...sail away! If only for these two tracks the whole CD would be worth purchasing, ...however, the entire Art of Fugue and, yes, the Partita (Nr. 2) are truly worth having."