Search - J.S. Bach :: Italian Concerto / Partita-1

A magnificent CD, one of the best Bach CDs of my lifetime

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 08/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is impossible to overestimate this magnificent CD of essential Bach keyboard music from 60-something pianist Dubravka Tomsic (tom-SCHICK), a former student of Rubinstein that is more well-known for her concertizing than her recordings, which are few in number but consistently high in quality. No recording from Tomsic -- and few recordings in the entire Bach canon -- match the magnificence displayed in this CD.



Tomsic has recorded an outstanding version of the always-popular Italian Concerto, using a modern concert grand piano whose sonority is never allowed to obscure the clean lines of two-handed counterpoint, which is the essential ingredient that sets Bach keyboard work apart from other giants of the keyboard. The exposure of Bach's part writing, mixed with urbanity and human emotion, is the linchpin of this collection.



Tomsic's sensitivity to Bach style and complete understanding of his work is generously on display in the Partita No. 1 in B flat. Tomsic consistently recognizes the collection of dances for what it really is -- a suite of music demonstrating how dance form was used in Bach's day to represent what romantic composers proposed in sonata form. Her parts come together less like unrelated dances than as the portions of sontata form.



The heart of Tomsic's performance is the wonderful slow movement, which goes on for more than 8 minutes. Here Tomsic shows us everything there is to know about Bach the man, his music, and how to interpret his music. Her introduction is slow and tuneful, nearly melancholy, traversing a course toward the heart. Her repeats show the music is not merely being repeated, it is being restated with new emotion, in this case more quietly, as if in a whisper, as if pleading the case for Bach's message.



Tomsic's work in the Toccata in D major is also out of this world. Hewr three part performance grabs the listener with its drama. Its closing pages take the listener through a sequence of scales with an inevitability that makes its affectation a completely satisfying whole.



The sound on this issue is up close and perhaps even in your face. Some listeners may wish for more space around the piano or a perspective further from the sound stage. Her playing, which mostly eschews pedaling, is a fine counterbalance to the recording, which is truthful even though up close.



I've heard many performances of the Toccata BWV 912 and Partita No. 1 by big name pianists and none is the equal of this stupdendous performance. I don't care how many Bach keyboard CDs you have in your collection or how refined your taste, there is room in your home for this one.



This collection is variably availabe on other labels, sometimes linked with other music. As long as you gets Tomsic's Italian Concerto, Partita No. 1 and Toccat BWV 912, you are in for one of the great Bach treats of your life."