Search - Dietrich Buxtehude, Convivium, Elizabeth Wallfisch :: Dietrich Buxtehude - Sonatas Op. 1, Nos. 1-7 (Trio Sonatas)

Surprisingly Expressive and Absorbing Baroque

David J. Friedlander | Columbus, Ohio United States | 02/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just about everyone knows the Bach story about how he walked a great distance to hear the famous keyboardist-composer Dietrict Buxtehude. Some folks tuck the story away. Then there are the curious folks who wonder what it was that inspired Bach to make this journey in the first place. Surely there must be something Buxtehude had that attracted the interest of music's greatest composers. Bach had to get permission to go and he far overstayed the leave he was granted giving the curious even more reason to wonder!



My exposure to Buxtehude started with some organ pieces I got from a bargain website. (translation; bargain bin) At first the music was off putting to me. Real thick sounding organ music is a little too much for my ears and after awhile it starts to moosh together. After a few attempts at listening, the CD ended up on the shelf collecting dust. Years later I was rummaging through my Penguin Guide when I came across a blurb about this recording. It was a very good review with the highest rating. So I took another chance and this time hit gold.



This music is alive. It doesn't sound old or tired. It is very vital and full of fresh turns and interesting harmonic ideas. The expressiveness is immediate and the sound is excellent. The playing is light and the tone of the instruments is sweet, not sour like "authentic" instrument performances can sometimes sound. The music is free spirited and full of creative energy.



Now I have an idea what attracted Bach to take his historic journey to hear this master in person. If anyone else out there is curious about this, I think there is a very good chance this will satisfy you too. Or if you just enjoy hearing Baroque trio sonatas that are highly inventive, played with verve and style, and sound perfect, this would be a good purchase for you also.



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