Search - Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Robert Hill :: W.F. Bach: 12 Polonaises; Sonata in D major; Fantasia

Expressive and colorful playing of W.F. Bach's 12 Polonaises

Ryan Layne Whitney | Seattle, WA USA | 08/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Hill's performance of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach's not-often-enough heard Polonaises is, as I said in the title, expressive and colorful, but much more: playful and lively works alternate with moody, proto-Romantic pieces, and Hill's phrasing, dynamic variety, and judicious rubato give irresistible flavor to these difficult works. They are not always technically difficult (though some are indeed that), but musically they are demanding. The instrument Mr. Hill uses, built, I understand, by his brother, Keith Hill, is a warm-sounding fortepiano (unlike many one hears, which seem to me to sound rattly and unpleasant), based on a Cristofori design. Though this instrument is clearly more than four octaves, as the Cristofori instruments were (and therefore would have been too small in its historic range to accommodate this repertoire), it serves the music beautifully. The added sonata in D major and the A minor fantasia are excellent as well. Has Robert Hill recorded the other sonatas of W.F. Bach (I believe there are about 8 more)? If not, I hope he does soon."