Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Kenneth Cooper :: Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord

RATHER DUBIOUS "READINGS"

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 11/20/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, even though the artists here are of the highest calibre, this CD of Bach's beautiful Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord is not self-recommending. I say unfortunately because these performances are curiously pedestrian, utterly routine and continuously lacking charm, grace and anything close to depth. It's all quite a terribly dull affair at Bach's expense--- and ours. To add insult to injury, the recording itself is heavily weighted in Ma's favor, which is hardly a bonus; Cooper's harpsichord sounds as if it's in another room somewhere in the distance... droning on and on and on. Even at mid-price, these renditions are simply not competitive.



[Running time: 42:24]



"

Awesome

Melvyn M. Sobel | 09/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is what originally got me into classical music years ago and it continues to inspire me and be my favorite album. Despite what the other reviewer said, i believe this recording contains huge depth and is interpreted beautifully. A must have for ANY classical music lover(or non-lover)."

Average Bach value for the money.

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 05/24/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"These 'Sonatas for Viola da Gamba & Harpsicord' by Yo-Yo Ma (Cello) and Kenneth Cooper (Harpsichord) seem, to my relatively uneducated ear to be of just average quality compared to the great body of recorded Bach available on DVD.



The release is a transfer from an original released on vinyl, so part of the problem may be due to this transfer. I am certain that part of the problem is in the fact that the recording is relatively short as classical DVDs go. A symptom that this is a weakness is the fact that the timings are not even given on the case or the notes.



And, as far as Yo-Yo Ma's performance goes, I was much more moved by a five minute snippet of his performance in the second season of 'The West Wing' than I was by the full recording on this disk.



I can't help shaking the feeling that his heart wasn't in this one."