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Bach: De Occulta Philosophia
Johann Sebastian Bach, Carlos Mena, Emma Kirkby
Bach: De Occulta Philosophia
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

This disc is far less interesting than it looks. Though Bach is widely characterized as a workaday genius, musicologists claim to identify all sorts of numerological symbolism in his music, adding up to the spelling of his...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Johann Sebastian Bach, Carlos Mena, Emma Kirkby
Title: Bach: De Occulta Philosophia
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Glossa
Release Date: 4/27/2004
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Classical (c.1770-1830), Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 789368837427, 8424562201071, 8424562301078

Synopsis

Amazon.com
This disc is far less interesting than it looks. Though Bach is widely characterized as a workaday genius, musicologists claim to identify all sorts of numerological symbolism in his music, adding up to the spelling of his late wife's name in the famous Chaccone movement of the Partita in D minor (BWV 1004) for unaccompanied violin. That's what begins the disc in a transcription (the genesis of which is unclear) for lute and two voices singing the lament "Christ lag in Todesbanden." The counterpoint is often fascinating. But the rest of the disc is mere lute transcriptions of the aforementioned partita and Sonata in G minor (BWV 1001). Though it's engaging to hear the succession of transcription choices Moreno has made, the ultimate result isn't resourceful. While Moreno realizes vertical counterpoint that Bach only implies, there's no forward momentum that's either implied or illusory. It's as if Bach keeps getting distracted. -- David Patrick Stearns
 

CD Reviews

Ignore track 1 and enjoy the rest.
Gary J. Wright | San Francisco, CA United States | 11/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The solo performances of BWV 1001 and BWV 1004 are superb. Such quality playing as this, combined with a magnificent recording, is fully worthy of 5-Stars.
Moreno plays flawlessly, but never rigidly. There is a lovely bloom to the closely-recorded sound. This is one of the very finest performances I have heard of these pieces.
However, the first track with its dirge-like singing is not to my tastes at all. Ably performed by Kirkby and Mena no doubt, but quite ugly in my opinion. Fortunately, the same piece is performed beautifully later on minus the ghastly German vocals and thank goodness for that."
Fantastic.
Benjamin R. Mariante | outside Boston | 05/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I couldn't disagree with one reviewer more. Kirkby is sensational. Listen to the first cut - over and over. It will get into the depths of your soul.

The lute is of course superb. This is not workaday Bach, but Bach at his deepest. Don't worry about numerology. He is mourning his wife, and this mourns for all of us and for the world. Listen!"