Customer Reviews

The Well Tempered Clavier - Book 1

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Give me Schiff's recording anyday! Whilst I'd never argue with the technical brilliance of Gould, in my humble opinion he plays it like an exercise. Schiff plays it like it's music! You submerge yourself in it and it moves your soul. Truly inspirational.

My enthusiasm for classic music began when I listened the Well Tempered Clavier for the first time. I was about 19 years old and that was a still excelent recording from the Brazilian specialist in Bach, JCMartins. Over the years (I am now approaxing 60) I am still fascinated by these pieces and had listened most players. Aside for Vanda Landowska in a different instrument, for me Andras Shiff is the definitive player of these pieces in the piano.

This is a really lovely recording. Schiff is a superb technical pianist who presents Bach cleanly. Some have (including me) have commented on Schiff's somewhat romantic tendencies in other Bach recordings. While I think this is true of his Chopinesque playing of the Goldberg variations, I think this set of recordings is very faithful to Bach.

This is a very fine version of the WTC bk I. The tone is luminous and intellectually sound. I love the fact that the playing is so sung rather than frenetic - for example the C sharp major prelude and fugue - and listen to the descending bass melodies in the d minor prelude - then enjoy the languorous Eb major prelude and fugue and it just goes on from there.

This is first rate musicianship and awfully fine keyboard playing. Some might wish for a more idiosynchratic approach, but that can get awfully tiresome unless you are a very special kind of genius. Schiff is a fine musician and I have heard him live playing a Bartok piano concerto - he has all the technique he needs to make all the music he cares to.

You could do a lot worse than this recording.

Schiff plays Bach in the most wonderfully natural manner there could possibly is.... the voicing is incredible as each voice in J.S. Bach is brought out, as if it were really 4 or 5 voices singing. The natural beauty of the melody is truly unparalleled. Schiff recently performed both Book I and II in Carnegie Hall, and this CD (book I), although not as good as his live performances (as they were recorded over a decade ago), still show a very mature and musical performance that cannot be missed. As for people who are more of a Glenn Gould fan, I think that is a very subjective opinion and by no manner should one discriminate one over another. After all, Gould was playing about 30 years before this CD recording.... and if Gould fans ever realised that even Mr. G himself played many versions of the each (Bach) piece, then one should really have no excuse putting Schiff's version down. Schiff brings out a version of Bach's pieces which I'm sure J.S. Bach would most adore for its natural beauty.....

This recording was met with critical acclaim upon its release in the 1980s. It's appeal lies in Schiff's rich full-bodied sound and tone. He seems to see Bach through a romantic aesthetic and uses the pedals liberally. The performances were recorded in a large hall and overall the sound quality is a little muggy, especially when compared to Glenn Gould's very dry version. However, Schiff's approach is the perfect contrast if you are looking for an alternative performance. The great thing about Bach's WTC is that the preludes and fugues can be interpreted so differently. This makes it worth owning several different recordings. Try also Tureck, Richter, Fischer and Kirkpatrick.

I have only recently discovered the appeal of Bach, but believe Andras Schiff's performance of the Well-Tempered Clavier to be impeccable. At first I was not completely convinced of Schiff's interpretation, but repeated listenings have persuaded me. The appeal of Schiff's rendition is the rich full sound and tone colour which permeates his performance. Schiff at no time attempts to imitate harpsichord and uses articulation which is very pianistic. His rendition might not be seeking authenticity but definitely has greater appeal over longer periods of time. His performance is very interesting and his use of articulation is imaginative. It is amazing how addictive Bach can be. And while this music has serious and intellectual qualities, the Well Tempered Clavier should engage a wide musically appreciative audience. The CD contains detailed liner notes and the sound quality is superb. The E minor Prelude and Fugue is my personal favourite.

I have only recently discovered the appeal of Bach, but believe Andras Schiff's performance of the Well-Tempered Clavier to be impeccable. At first I was not completely convinced of Schiff's interpretation, but repeated listenings have persuaded me. The appeal of Schiff's rendition is the rich full sound and tone colour which permeates his performance. Schiff at no time attempts to imitate harpsichord and uses articulation which is very pianistic. His rendition might not be seeking authenticity but definitely has greater appeal over longer periods of time. His performance is very interesting and his use of articulation is imaginative. It is amazing how addictive Bach can be. And while this music has serious and intellectual qualities, the Well Tempered Clavier should engage a wide musically appreciative audience. The CD contains detailed liner notes and the sound quality is superb. The E minor Prelude and Fugue is my personal favourite.

I have only recently discovered the appeal of Bach, but believe Andras Schiff's performance of the Well-Tempered Clavier to be impeccable. At first I was not completely convinced of Schiff's interpretation, but repeated listenings have persuaded me. The appeal of Schiff's rendition is the rich full sound and tone colour which permeates his performance. Schiff at no time attempts to imitate harpsichord and uses articulation which is very pianistic. His rendition might not be seeking authenticity but definitely has greater appeal over longer periods of time. His performance is very interesting and his use of articulation is imaginative. It is amazing how addictive Bach can be. And while this music has serious and intellectual qualities, the Well Tempered Clavier should engage a wide musically appreciative audience. The CD contains detailed liner notes and the sound quality is superb. The E minor Prelude and Fugue is my personal favourite.

I'll avoid invidious comparisons with other versions, as this set deserves to stand alone. Schiff is a real artist, a musician of immense intellect and a consummate pianist whose playing of this music is always considered but never sacrifices spontaneity. Playing of this calibre can make authenticity debates superfluous.