Search - Johann Sebastian Bach :: Bach: The Six Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin

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Yifan Wanger | 07/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This may not be a particularily well-known recording of Bach's unaccompanied violin works, unlike the epic recordings by Milstein and Heifitz, but James Ehnes truly presents a mature reading that is worthy of comparison.

James Ehnes plays with a very rich tone. He truly gets to the core of the sound and the digital recording quality really helps to bring this out. One cut that is particularily well-played in my opinion is the fugue from the C major Sonata. Despite the difficult double/triple stop patterns, Ehnes plays with perfect intonation and makes it seem effortless. The amount of control that he has over his instrument is incredible. He is able to phrase even the most difficult passages beautifully."

Flawless intonation, gorgeous slow movements

Benjamin Moodie | Berkeley, CA | 03/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was at Meadowmount music camp with James Ehnes. Even then, he was a superstar amongst excellent young musicians. Since then, Ehnes seems to have developed absolutely flawless intonation.

The most lovely thing about Ehnes's playing, aside from that absolutely limpid intonation, is his very naturally singing phrasing. The Andante from Sonata #2 and the Largo from Sonata #3 have never been played better, in my opinion--such gorgeously living, breathing performances with exquisite rubatos, etc.

Amidst this, I have to register one objection, one that holds for many of his other recordings as well, unfortunately. For all the sheer beauty of Ehnes's sound, you can end up getting a bit bored by it (the aforementioned movements excepted...). For instance, I prefer Szeryng's Partita #1 (first recording) and Perlman's unmatched Ciaccona for their superior communication of the architecture and drama of these pieces.

Still, if you like these pieces, you won't want to do without Ehnes's recording."