Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
While many guitarists carry single movements from Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas in their repertoires, Paul Galbraith has transcribed the entire set for his custom-made eight-string instrument. The arrangements are wrought with skill, and employ subtle textural filling and intriguing segues between certain movements. Yet Galbraith's glitchless, fur-tipped fingers coddle these works to where Bach's harmonic daring, rhythmic momentum, and emotional contrasts vanish into smooth oblivion. Great guitar playing and gorgeous sonics, yes, but essentially Bach-lite. --Jed Distler

Tracks:

Sonata I In G Minor, Bwv 1001 / Sonate No.1 En Sol Mineur, Bwv 1001
Partita I In B Minor, Bwv 1002 / Partita No.1 En Si Mineur, Bwv 1002
Sonata Ii In A Minor, Bwv 1003 / Sonate No.2 En La Mineur, Bwv 1003
Partita Ii In D Minor, Bwv 1004 / Partita No.2 En Re Mineur, Bwv 1004
Sonata Iii In C Major, Bwv 1005 / Sonate No.3 En Do Majeur, Bwv 1005
Partita Iii In E Major, Bwv 1006 / Partita No. 3 En Mi Majeur, Bwv 1006

Customer Reviews:

Wow!!.......2007-04-01

James Ehnes, who I had never heard of previously, was the solo violinist when I went to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He was playing a piece from Bach's 3rd Symphony, I believe. My date and I were blown away by James. He was absolutely amazing, that's as close as I can get to describing. A few days later, I found a few of James' CDs and picked this particular album because it is Bach. It's wonderfully beautiful and still amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the violin or Bach. If you love both, even better. If you get the chance to do so, see and hear James live. Truly truly...wow!

..........2006-07-27

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.

Average customer rating:

too much noise
Peerlessly executed
Most enjoyable classical guitar album I've ever purchased.
What devides the reviewers???
WOW

Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Lute Suites (Guitar Arrangement)/ Galbraith
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Essencia Do Brasil

ASIN: B000009SDY
Release Date: 1998-08-04

Tracks:

Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Adagio
Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Fuga
Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Siciliano
Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Presto
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Allemanda
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Corrente
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Sarabande
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Tempo di Bourree
Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Grave
Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Fuga
Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Andante
Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Allegro
Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Allemanda
Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Corrente
Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Sarabanda
Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Giga
Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Ciaccona (Chaconne)
Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Adagio
Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Fuga
Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Largo
Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Allegro assai
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Preludio
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Loure
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Gavotte en Rondeau
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Menuet I
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Menuet II
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Bourr
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Gigue

Amazon.com

While many guitarists carry single movements from Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas in their repertoires, Paul Galbraith has transcribed the entire set for his custom-made eight-string instrument. The arrangements are wrought with skill, and employ subtle textural filling and intriguing segues between certain movements. Yet Galbraith's glitchless, fur-tipped fingers coddle these works to where Bach's harmonic daring, rhythmic momentum, and emotional contrasts vanish into smooth oblivion. Great guitar playing and gorgeous sonics, yes, but essentially Bach-lite. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

too much noise.......2006-12-26

Good music and excellent performance.But there are too much backgroud noise, especially hear the music using headphone.I could not accept that because it is a solo instrument music not a orchestra music which is ok to ignore.

Peerlessly executed.......2006-12-05

I'll add my voice to the chorus praising this recording. Between Paul Galbraith's technical mastery of the works and the extended compass of his eight-string guitar, magic occurs. This recording unlike most classical guitar recordings save his later recording of the Bach Lute Suites, which is also quite amazing. The added high notes and (more importantly) the additional low notes bring a depth and richness to the music which is somewhat lacking in standard classical guitar, sans scordatura.

If you like this recording, check out Elliot Gibbons' Mysterious Barricades, recorded on a 13-string 'archguitar.' He also plays Bach, as well as works by Couperin, Sanz, and de Visee, and the extended compass of the instrument allows for a very rich experience, with wonderful basses providing structural oak under Bach's lovely melodies.

Most enjoyable classical guitar album I've ever purchased........2005-12-11

I am not a music critic, nor am I an expert on Bach. My only credential for commenting on this album is that I have played classical guitar, albeit at an amateur level, for over forty years. Since I spend a great deal of time reading and writing, I'm always pleased to find a purely instrumental album that can tweak my creative neurons without intruding to the extent of redirecting my thoughts (unlike Beethoven or some of JS Bach's heavier compositions).

This album is simply lovely. Galbraith's artistry is remarkable. Add to this the surprising richness of his custom 8-string guitar (one above and one below the usual six strings), which extends the bass range beyond that of a 6-string guitar, and allows him to play higher notes closer to the end of the neck, increasing the resonance. The result, like that of Rachmaninov's oversized hands on the piano, generates a freshness that is not possible on a 6-string guitar.

Although I've heard a couple of short extracts from this composition performed by other guitarists, I have to confess that I was generally unaware of the complete work until stumbling into this album. Listening to all 32 tracks played in succession is a delight.

I would of course recommend this to those who love classical music. Beyond that, I think most listeners of "New Age" music would find this comfortable and vaguely familiar. As an introduction to classical music in general, and to JS Bach specifically, it would be hard to find a recording with a less bombastic baroque flavor.

What devides the reviewers???.......2005-12-04

I am totally fascinated by the split in how reviewers value this record. To me: Yes it is meditative, leading to inner quietness, the centre. To me that is precisely why it is so awesome. A true and veritable interpretation of Bach! That is what is so good about it. Not an understatement, but certainly not over the top or sentimental or overdoing it, but instead: still ... I'm totally impressed, This is the only CD that I have really found worth playing since I discovered it 5 years ago. It cannot be, but born out of love. Going even so far as to creating a new - modified - instrument with 8 strings - so as to allow to play the these Sonatas and Partitas as one whole. That goes pretty far. But it has proven worth it. And YES, I can follow the intuition that Galbraith developed that these suites were originally conceived as a single piece, and that it is an instrumental gospel. I am not a Christian, but very happy with this interpretation. I find it far from without emotion. To me it is very very spiritual as well as emotional, but at a rather high level (requiring the ability to abstract). Someone was complaining about breathing. I don't think it is like in tennis; it is rather the fingers moving over the strings, it doesn't bother me too much, part of the deal.

WOW.......2005-10-07

Wow,can this guy play. You know you're a serious guitar player when you play a guitar that has 8 strings. Good stuff in this album plus you get two CDs, you can't beat it. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

* amazing interpretation *

Six Sonatas & Partitas for violin solo

Manufacturer: Alex Deych
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006909J
Release Date: 2002-06-01

Tracks:

Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001 - Adagio
Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001 - Fuga (Allegro)
Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001 - Siciliana
Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001 - Presto
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Allemanda
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Double
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Corrente
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Double (Presto)
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Sarabande
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Double
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Tempo di Borea
Partita No. 1 BWV 1002 - Double
Sonata No. 2 BWV 1003 - Grave
Sonata No. 2 BWV 1003 - Fuga
Sonata No. 2 BWV 1003 - Andante
Sonata No. 2 BWV 1003 - Allegro

Tracks:

Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 - Allemanda
Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 - Corrente
Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 - Sarabanda
Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 - Giga
Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 - Ciaccona
Sonata No. 3 BWV 1005 - Adagio
Sonata No. 3 BWV 1005 - Fuga
Sonata No. 3 BWV 1005 - Largo
Sonata No. 3 BWV 1005 - Allegro assai
Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 - Preludio
Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 - Loure
Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 - Gavotte en rondeau
Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 - Menuette I & II
Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 - Bouree
Partita No. 3 BWV 1006 - Gigue

Album Description

This record is one of only two albums in existence, featuring complete set of Bach's Sonatas & Partitas for violin solo performed on viola.

Customer Reviews:

* amazing interpretation *.......2002-09-03

fabulous rendition of bach's solo sonatas and partitas played on the viola! this recording captures the very essence of bach.

Bach: Six Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006

Average customer rating:

For C. Toma
If You Can Find It, Buy It
Unsurpassed, still

Bach: Six Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006

Manufacturer: Smithsonian Collect.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

J.S. Bach: The Sonatas and Partitas for Violin Solo
Mahler: Symphony No.8
Mozart: Piano Quartets Nos. 1 & 2
Mahler: Symphonie No. 2 "Resurrection"
Bach: The Goldberg Variations

ASIN: B0000017T7
Release Date: 1994-12-08

Customer Reviews:

For C. Toma.......2006-05-02

Dear Sir/Madam: Your review mentions Gidon Kremer, but the performance being advertised is by Jaap Schroder. Has your review been misplaced?

If You Can Find It, Buy It.......2005-06-21

These performances are the best since Heifitz recorded them, and maybe even better. What ever the price, if you can find this buy it. You will not be sorry, unless you decide to buy a different set with somebody else at the violin.

Unsurpassed, still.......2005-03-29

That Kremer is the greatest violinist of our time is no question. These 1980 recordings demonstrate an understanding of Bach's aesthetic reaching far beyond that of most of his virtuoso colleagues (Milstein, Shumsky, Perlman, Martzy & Szeryng included). Kremer hits exactly at the intersection between skill, passion, intellect and soul--the essence of Bach. His interpretation of the ubiquitous Ciaccona in particular is a miracle of music-making; I cannot tire of its overwhelming incandescence.

In short, this is the set to get. I hear Mr. Kremer has recently recorded these pieces anew, and they are still pending release, but until then, this one's damn well near definitive.

Average customer rating:

Bach: Six Solo Sonatas & Partitas

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008WD5L
Release Date: 2003-07-08

Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin

Average customer rating:

Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin

Manufacturer: Collins Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0008G2ENW

J.S.Bach's Six Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin

Average customer rating:

J.S.Bach's Six Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin

Manufacturer: Celle-stial Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA2RE0
Release Date: 2003-03-04

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