For those who don't like harpsichords -- check it out!
Ed Brickell | 12/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If hearing a harpsichord only brings back memories of TV's Addams Family, or stirs up images -- as British conductor Sir Thomas Beecham once put it -- of "two skeletons copulating on a tin roof," then you owe it to yourself to hear this nicely priced 2-CD set of Bach's wonderful partitas. Aside from the compositions themselves, which are among Bach's most stimulating keyboard works, and the incredible artistry of Trevor Pinnock, this is one of the warmest recordings of a harpsichord I've ever heard. It's rich, robust, and positively beautiful.Pinnock recently retired from conducting to devote more time to playing the harpsichord. If this is only the beginning of many more Bach/Pinnock harpsichord recordings to come, music fans have a lot to look forward to."
Tremendous performance of the Partitas - Go for it, folks!!
Richard C. Stclair | 11/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trevor Pinnock has never let me down, and he continues his streak with a superb performance of Bach's 6 Partitas. I own several other Pinnock CDs (Vivaldi's Four Seasons, various hpsd. works by Bach) and they are all winners and, to me, definitive. I'd say this is a must-have harpsichord version of the Partitas. Highest recommendation. Bach lives! Trevor forever!!"
A "must buy" recording
Richard C. Stclair | Massachusetts | 03/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"J.S. Bach's six partitas for harpsichord rank as some of most powerful and sublime compositions for keyboard ever written. In my view they rank with Beethoven's late piano sonatas. Trevor Pinnock is the greatest harpsichordist that I know to be alive and active at present. This two-CD set is a masterful product of two masters - Bach and Pinnock. Thankfully Pinnock has retired from conducting and is devoting his energies to recording Bach's keyboard works. I look forward to more recordings from this wonderful musician."
Magisterial
David Saemann | 06/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So many artists today play these works on piano that it is refreshing to have a version with harpsichord. Pinnock plays a modern copy of a period harpsichord, and its sound is invariably natural and pleasing. The sound engineering is rich and perhaps a little too resonant in places, but this sound is faithful to what you might have heard in a nobleman's high ceilinged hall. As for the performances, they are simply luscious. Pinnock has all the technical command necessary for the big moments, but his playing also is flexible and nuanced where required. His big career as a period instruments conductor has perhaps robbed us of having a marvelous harpsichordist before the public full time. I am not permanently shelving my piano recordings of these works by Glenn Gould and Maria Tipo, both wonderful, but Pinnock's is a healthy and refreshing take on these works."