So-so sonatas
Rich | California USA | 12/13/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Bach: sonatas 525-530It is well known that these 6 sonatas were developed by J.S. Bach for his son Wilhelm Friedmann as exercises to develop the independence of each the hands and feet. The BWV 525 and 526 are probably the most inspired in this great set of works. On the Hyperion label, is Christopher Herrick's performances of these sonatas. He opens with the 526 and all fares well enough except for the layers of the middle movement not making themselves very apparent. This is a case in point for the entire set. This is not a play for subtlety either since some notes just seem to be entireley missing. Rhythms in general are not as clearly punctuated or articulated as is needed so as to avoid the tendency of these pieces to trundle on and become boring. The 525 sonata is played happily enough but not with exhuberant joy. Herrick plays warmly in an appropriately relaxed form, making the music enjoyable to listen to. However, for those who already have Simon Preston's performance on the DG label, they do not need this addtional interpretation of Herrick's since it by and large, does not really bring anything new to the music. The recording quality of this CD is very good if not excellent. The sound image is that of notes sounding off like shiny sequins. The lowest registers come through faithfully rich, from the Swiss organ. Yet Herrick chooses registrations that don't make this music its most colorful. Had he done so, it would also make up for some lack of spatial depth in the recording. The Penguin Guide and Grammophone Good Guide both have given Herrick's performance and recording their highest ratings and this just does not seem justified. Penguin has even dropped from their catalogue, Preston's top rated performance of these works and chose to retain Herrick's in their year 2000 catalogue (current). For these sonatas, this performance of Christopher Herrick's does not live up to its reputation. It is certainly not a first choice or recommendation.RL869@aol.com"
A nice reading
jhorro | VA | 07/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Christopher Herrick has picked a colorful instrument for these pieces. The registration is chosen tastefully, avoiding a sense of monotony. Along with the Bowyer series on Nimbus, the Herrick Bach cycle is the finest of modern cycles. He balances the concern for authenticity with modern taste, without being abrasive or over-sentimental. Personally, I think a Swiss instrument suits these works. Those wanting a Danish instrument can be warmly recommended to the Bowyer cycle on Nimbus. After purchasing this, I was easily encouraged to buy the others in the series."
Overall, a good recording, except for BWV 526
jhorro | 11/27/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"As always, I enjoy Cristopher Herrick's recordings of Bach's organ music. I also enjoyed this recording a great deal, with one unfortunate exception. He seems to play the second trio sonata (BWV 526) with a little too much force and volume, and he doesn't always get the tune in sync with this piece. But overall, I like this recording anyway, and I recommend it if you haven't already listened to Bach's Trio Sonatas."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1