Search - Bach, Menuhin :: J.S. Bach: Sonates & Partitas

Some great, some not

RaleighObserver | Eastern USA | 06/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Menuhin's second traversal of the Bach unaccompanied sonatas, made in the mid-1950's. By this time, his difficulties with intonation, bowing and phrasing were becoming more obvious, and many of the performances in this set reflect those problems. Scattered throughout, however, are some truly magnificent renderings, where Menuhin's passion, commitment and fervor overcome his technical problems. Probably the most significant is his reading of the Chaccone in the second partita. It comes after uneven readings of the previous movements, but once Menuhin started the Chaccone, my ears were glued to the speakers. It is, by far, the most intense and revealing performance of the piece I've ever heard. Romantic, for sure; noble, yes, but not in the way in which, say, Szeryng is noble. Details emerge in a new context, the piece proceeds with inevitability and becomes a force of nature. Even in the moments when it seems Menuhin's technique is crumbling, you won't hear more committed music-making from anyone. I strongly disagree with the reviewer who found these readings lacking in spiritual content. This is spirit grounded in emotion -- very much like Bach himself.



This set is worth getting for those moments when Menuhin the deeply committed artist emerges through the difficulties. The sound is very good mono, clean and clear."

An Excellent Introduction

Ryan Kouroukis | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 12/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Menuhin's second mono recordings from the mid 50's are intense and technically flawless. However, he does not portray any kind of spirituality or serious profundity in this set. But he definetly puts in more emotion, expressiveness, beauty and brilliance into these accounts than in his first set (which to me are the most boring and dry readings i've ever heard!).



Menuhin shows himself to be the true virtuoso, and these readings are very unique and very individual. He does reveal and give insights into many details overlooked by many other artists which is facincating and illuminating.



The sound is in excellent late mono, loud, clear and warm.



(My favorites are still the Perlman and the Enescu renditions.)"

Well...

rufe | 02/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Chaconne almost made me cry, is what hooked me on Menuhin to begin with, and is the most amazing thing I've every heard. I believe Einstein said, when hearing Menuhin play, "now I know that there is a God in Heaven". That's kind of what it's like



Now, the prelude of the third partita just shows off the technical weaknesses that are there. Menuhin's later recordings really are out of tune, sometimes it seems almost intentional, always it makes me wish it weren't so."