Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Vladimir Ashkenazy :: J.S Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier

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Ed | Taipei City, Taiwan | 05/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When this CD was just released, I thought much about whether I should buy this work. There are already so many master interpretations, including those played by Glenn Gould, Richter, Tureck, Nikolayeva, and Schiff. And there were quite few reviews about this new work by Ashkenazy when it was just released.



But I still gave it a try. And, WOW!, I am glad that I have made the purchase decision. As a pianist, Ashkenazy seldom dissatisfies his audiences recently. His Shostakovich Preludes & Fugues is a good example. And this Bach Well-Tempered Clavier is no exception. The style of the whole work is a little like Sviatoslav Richter PLUS Glenn Gould. The rhythm is rich, fresh and colorful with the spiritual sound produced by Ashkenazy's beautifully using the pedals. If someone wonders whether it is bland, I can tell you it definitely is not. Ashkenazy possesses the animation of Glenn Gould but proceeds without GG's sometimes eccentricity. Ashkenazy expresses the beautiful sound and smooth rhythm of Sviatoslav Richter but bounces and rocks more! However, in addition to all the above features, you can still feel and appreciate Ashkenazy's unique understanding of this classic. And his uniqueness is pretty.



This is a masterwork played by a master. Take it, and put it among those previous interpretations. We have a new classic."

Bringing Bach back to Earth

Orpheus | on the road | 06/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After recording almost the whole canon of classical and romantic music, Vladimir Ashkenazy finally turns his gaze to Bach; it was worth the wait. Naturally one is inclined to compare it to the great versions of other pianists such as those of Gould, Richter, Tureck, etc... and allthough I am quite familiar with the first two and some incidental listening of others, I am now inclined to say that this version stands completely on itself.



Ashkenazy approaches the music with an ease and elegance that is seldomly heared. Bach's transcendent compendium of the "klavier" is a world of such depth and infinite musical possibility one can easily get lost in it's vastness. Yet, "the language of the universe" has never known a more humane and ardent advocate, unveiling it's multitude of mysteries in the light of contemporary life...



When listening to Ashkenazy's WTC, progressing through the keys, as Bach presupposes and elaborates, I feel rejuvenated almost instantly - sensing a spirit of exuberance and vitality, where other recordings seem dogmatic

- feeling warmth and optimism where others despite of their obvious virtuosity and stylistic correctness seem cold and aloof.



Vladimir Ashkenazy has gone beyond just the notes, creating an atmosphere that is flowing and natural... sounding almost as if both Books were played from beginning to end on a sunny afternoon...without rehearsals, editing or over-analyzing the music. And thus a world originates, a kaleidoscope of images, so rich in depth of colours and inherent understanding of the human experience - the palet and mind creating them are indeed those of a Great Artist."

Refreshingly Unaffected and Exhilarating

Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 10/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 'Well-Tempered Clavier' played by Vladimir Ashkenazy is the sixth rendition of Bach's 48 I have bought since the early 90's. It is handily the best of the lot, for its vigor, clarity, charm and lack of affectation. It seems like Ashkenazy has tapped into Bach's mind, and this has freed him from the need to impose a lot of ponderous emotion on these pieces, which really are able to speak for themselves if the perfomer will let them. The briskness of Ashkenazy's approach has an additional bonus, that both books of the WTC fit on 3 medium priced discs, so this set is quite a bargain. As to the recording job, the piano is a little distant for my taste, but that's a very minor minus on a superb performance."