Bach: Goldberg Variations; Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue; Italian Concerto

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Wanda Landowska made this first recorded version of Bach's Goldberg Variations in 1933. While she preferred her 1945 remake for RCA, this first attempt is tighter and less italicized in expression. The colorful registral shifts on her custom-made Pleyel harpsichord might have little to do with modern-day Baroque scholarship; but who cares? What rhythm this woman had--to say nothing of her remarkably independent fingers and ability to spin out long lines as if they were being sung, instead of plucked. Landowska takes some, but not all, repeats, and reiterates the first eight bars of Nos. 5, 7, and 18. The Italian Concerto's outer movements might sound a tad upholstered via Landowska's gilded instrument, but the eloquent, slow movement takes your breath away. Few have touched Landowska's proudly rhetorical traversal of the Chromatic Fantasy, with each whirlwind run and heart-stopping pause emerging as if it were being improvised on the spot. Compared to their previous transfer, EMI's newest remasterings beef up the bottom end of an admittedly limited dynamic spectrum, and add bloom to the treble. These timeless performances belong in every serious classical collection. --Jed Distler

Tracks:

Allegro Assai - Maurice Andre
Aria - Christophe Rousset
Echo - Rafael Puyana
Praeludium - Andras Schiff
Preludio - Henryk Szeryng
Air - Thurston Dart
Allegro - Musica Antiqua Koln
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Peter White
Toccata And Fugue - Wolfgang Rubsam
Prelude - Helmut Wacha
Fugue In G Minor 'The Little' - Helmut Wacha
1. (Allegro) - Alfred Brendel
2. Andante - Alfred Brendel
3. Presto - Alfred Brendel
Allegro - The English Concert
Allegro - Philip Ledger

Tracks:

Prelude - Mischa Maisky
Badinerie - The Academy Of Ancient Music
Bourree - Narciso Yepes
Sheep May Safely Graze - The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Invention No. 4 In D Minor - Andras Schiff
Prelude - Rosalyn Tureck
Fugue - Rosalyn Tureck
Chromatcal Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 903 - Trevor Pinnock
Bist Du Bei Mir - Kiri Te Kanawa
Jesu, Priceless Treasure - Simon Preston
Fugue - Carlo Curley
Komm, Susser Tod, BWV 478 - Ton Koopman
Sinfonia - Heinz Holliger
Andante - Arthur Grumiaux
Largo - Trevor Pinnock
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme - Munchener Bach-Chor
Gigue - Janos Starker
Fuga Ricercata A 6 - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam
Magnificant Anima Mea - Monteverdi Choir

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful collection.......2006-02-02

The album earns its title in many ways. Not only are the selections excellent, but the compilers of this collection chose performances from the late 1950's all the way to the late 90's. Well chosen.

Bach: Goldberg Variations; Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue; Italian Concerto

Average customer rating:

Wow !!!! ska.
"You play it your way, my dear, and I'll play it HIS way..."

Bach: Goldberg Variations; Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue; Italian Concerto

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Landowska plays Bach
A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book ll, BWV 870-93
Bach: The Landowska Recordings

ASIN: B00002DDV7
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria - Andante espressivo
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 1 - Allegro moderato
Goldberg Variations: Variation 2 - Allegretto
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 3 - Canone all'unisono (Pocco andante, ma con moto)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 4 - L'istesso movimento
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5 - Allegro vivace
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 6 - Canone alla seconda (Allegretto)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 7 - Un pocco vivace
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 8 - Allegro
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 9 - Canone alla terza (Moderato)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 10 - Fughetta (Un pocco animato)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 11 - Allegro e leggiero
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 12 - Canone alla quarta In moto contrario (Allegretto moderato)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 13 - Andantino
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 14 - Allegro moderato
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 15 - Canone alla quinta In moto contrairo (Andante)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 16 - Ouverture (Maestoso - Allegretto)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 17 - Allegro
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18 - Canone alla sesta (Con moto)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 19 - Allegro vivace
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 20 - Allegro
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 21 - Canone alla settima (Andante con moto)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 22 - Alla breve
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 23 - Allegro moderato
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 24 - Canone all'ottava (Allegretto con moto)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25 - Andante espressivo
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 26 - Allegro
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 27 - Canone alla nona (Un poco vivace)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 28 - Allegro
Goldbert Variations, BWV 988: Variation 29 - Brillante
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 30 - Quodlibet (Moderato)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Arai de capo - Andante espressivo
Italian Concerto In F, BWV 971: I: (Allegro giusto)
Italian Concerto In F, BWV 971: II. Andante
Italian Concerto In F, BWV 971: III. Presto
CHROMATIC FANTASIA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR, BWV 903: Fantasia
CHROMATIC FANTASIA AND FUGUE IN D MINOR, BWV 903: Fugue

Amazon.com

Wanda Landowska made this first recorded version of Bach's Goldberg Variations in 1933. While she preferred her 1945 remake for RCA, this first attempt is tighter and less italicized in expression. The colorful registral shifts on her custom-made Pleyel harpsichord might have little to do with modern-day Baroque scholarship; but who cares? What rhythm this woman had--to say nothing of her remarkably independent fingers and ability to spin out long lines as if they were being sung, instead of plucked. Landowska takes some, but not all, repeats, and reiterates the first eight bars of Nos. 5, 7, and 18. The Italian Concerto's outer movements might sound a tad upholstered via Landowska's gilded instrument, but the eloquent, slow movement takes your breath away. Few have touched Landowska's proudly rhetorical traversal of the Chromatic Fantasy, with each whirlwind run and heart-stopping pause emerging as if it were being improvised on the spot. Compared to their previous transfer, EMI's newest remasterings beef up the bottom end of an admittedly limited dynamic spectrum, and add bloom to the treble. These timeless performances belong in every serious classical collection. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Wow !!!! ska........2001-02-03

I just happened to be listening to Glen Gould's first recording (1955) of the Goldberg Variations when the postman delivered this - I put it on and almost fell out of my chair.

Talk about different worlds!

Here you have a harpsichord (a workhorse of a machine - not `original', but specially constructed for Wanda Landowska - muscular in sound) played with a wonderful sense of the dance rhythms of Bach's time and a marvellous lightness of touch.

The wash of romanticism given to the Variations since Ms Landowska's performances is swept away - and when you read the booklet notes and come to realise that this was the first performance on disc of the work, which was once considered unplayable, you cannot but admire and be thankful to the performer.

(This is why we now hear so much Bach played in concert!)

More modern performances might plunge deeper into the work, but none will replace this.

I have fallen instantly in love - and am looking to buy more of Landowska's Bach.

"You play it your way, my dear, and I'll play it HIS way...".......2000-02-13

...Wanda Landowska reportedly said to a colleague about the keyboard music of J.S. Bach. Purists may argue that her massive Pleyel harpsichord sounded nothing like the instruments of Bach's day, and that her approach was impetuously romantic and subjective. Listen to this set of newly remastered recordings, though, and it will never again be possible to hear these pieces without thinking of Landowska. More than any other pianist or harpsichordist on record, she captured the full range of Bach's energies: majesty, exuberance, desolation, ecstasy, redemption. In contrast to her ecclesiastical comportment and attire, Landowska played with an almost erotic abandon, yet in absolute technical control at all times.

Each of the selections reissued by EMI on this disc is a masterpiece recorded by Landowska in her prime. As remarkable as her performances of the 'Goldberg Variations' and the 'Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue' happen to be, the "Italian Concerto' reaches a level of exultation that is almost too much to bear.

Tracks:

Lost In The Opera House: Oh Help Me (Zu Hilfe) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Papageno And The Birds: The Best Bird-Catcher (Der Voglefanger) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Queen Of The Night: You Must Journey (O Zitt're Nicht) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Pamina Arrives, Papageno's Magic Bells: A Girlfriend (Ein Madchen) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Castle Of Sarastro: O Endless Night (O Ew'ge Nacht) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Magic Flute: O Listen, Hear The Song (Wie Stark) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Escape: Let Us Hurry (Schnelle Fusse)/What Twinkles So Brightly (Das Klinget)/Sarastro's ... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Sarastro's Welcome: The Gods Above (O Isis) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Attack Of The Queen: The Powers Of Night (Der Holle Rache)/Tamino's Trial: This Path... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Pamina's Lament: Oh My Heart Is Broken (Ach, Ich Fuhl's) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
In The Labyrinth: O Seekers Of The Light (Der, Welcher Wandert)/Tamino Mine/We Pass Proctected... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Papageno And Papagena: Ring, O Bells (Klinget Glockchen)/Pa-Pa-Papagena - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Conclusion: Our Journey Is Over (Bei Mannern)/Overture - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak

Tracks:

Piano Concerto #1, 1st Movt/Danse Napolitaine (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Trepac (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot/Turkey In The Straw/Waltzes (Serenade, And Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Tea (Nutcracker)/Coffee (Nutcracker)/Chocolate (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Danse Des Cygnes, Allegro (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
1812 Overture (Excerpt) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Silver (Sleeping Beauty)/Ragtime - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Overture Act II (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Girls' Chorus (Eugene Onegin) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Coda, Act II (Nutcracker)/Rag On Tchaikovsky Theme - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Marche Slav - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Violente (Sleeping Beauty)/Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Le Sommeil, Panorama (Sleeping Beauty) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Long, Long Ago/Onegin (Girls' Chorus)/Waltz Op.20 - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Amazing Grace - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Serenade For Strings: Movt 1/Finale/1812 Overture: Finale - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak

Tracks:

Orchestral Suite #3, Mvt. 1/Minuet In G/Gigue In G (French Suite #5) - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring/Chromatic Fantasy/Prelude In B Minor - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Introducing The Orchestra/Organ Chorale Prelude: 'Allein Gott' - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Brandenberg Concerto #5, Movt. 3 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Flute Sonata in C, Mvt. 2/Organ: 'Es Ist Das Heil'/Orch Ste #2, Mvt. 6/Violin Sonata In E, Mvt. 2 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Prelude In C (Book 1 Of WTC)/Orchestral Suite #2, Mvt. 2 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Bist Du Bei Mir - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #2, Badinerie - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #3, Air For G String - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #3, Gigue - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'Adventure In Music' - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Goldberg Variations/Art Of Fugue - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'Liebster Jesu': Flute Sonata In C, Mvt. 4 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'We Hasten,' Cantata #78 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson

Customer Reviews:

Great music/stories as well as sound quality.......2004-02-11

The stories on CD are well written and very entertaining. I listened through all 3 CDs in one sitting when I got them! What's more, its sound quality is very good. I have other classical music CDs for kids and almost always I'm disappointed with the sound quality. (Violines sound like they have flu!)

This is a great buy for kids of all ages!!!

Fabulous for Kids.......2002-01-01

My two children, ages 7 and 5 received the Classical Kids Music Box, volumes 1 & 2 for Christmas this year and they can't seem to get enough of it! Each box contains 3 CD's, each on a different composer. Some are narrated by children and tell a story of the particular composer. Their popular compositions play in the background - this way the listener hears a partial biography of the composer as well as some music. Volume 1 contains stories of Handel, Beethoven and Vivaldi, and Volume 2 contains stories of Mozart, Bach and Tchaikovsky. I highly recommend this for all children who listed to music CD's, whether they're musically inclined or not.

Music Box Series.......2001-04-23

To say this series of music is "CAPTIVATING" is a total understatement. We have enjoyed these immensely for 2 years now and are hoping they will continue to release more composers. These well-told stories will hold the interest of everyone at any age while introducing them to these brilliant composers. My son is a 12 year old AAA travel hockey player and listens to these CD's while going to sleep, every night, without fail! Last week he asked if he could go online to find music and I thought he was looking for something along the line of latest hits. What a surprise to find him looking for more of the Music Box Series. These collections are as valuable to classical music as Harry Potter has become to children's reading! The story of Beethoven is especially poignant, when you realize what he accomplished with his gift in spite of his many challenges. I won't give away the plots of these wonderful stories told in this series, however I will say they will be listened to over and over again! And just like Harry Potter, you can't wait for the next one!

Average customer rating:

Bach: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008RV2C
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Allegro Assai - I Musici
Preludio - Henryk Szeryng
Prelude In C Major, BWV 846 - Andras Schiff
Air - Thurston Dart
Aria - Christophe Rousset
Toccata - Wolfgang Rubsam
Fugue - Wolfgang Rubsam
Sinfonia - Heinz Holliger
Largo Ma Non Tanto - David Oistrakh
Jesu, The Joy Of Man's Desiring - Julius Katchen
Allegro - Musica Antiqua Koln
Sheep May Safely Graze - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Badinerie - Christopher Hogwood
Allegro - Trevor Pinnock
Fugue - Trevor Pinnock
Prelude - Mischa Maisky
Fugue In G Minor 'The Little', BWV 578 - Helmut Wacha

Average customer rating:

Tureck: the supreme priest of Bach
upgrade to 4 stars
get the osorio
A rare gem!
Absolutely Flawless !

Tureck: Live At The Teatro Colón

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003LIX
Release Date: 1994-05-02

Tracks:

Adagio In G Major, BWV 968
Chromatic Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 903
Sweet Remembrances (Songs Without Words, Op. 19, No. 1)
Moments Musicaux, Op. 94: No. 3 In F Minor
Moments Musicaux, Op. 94: No. 2 In A-Flat Major
Chaconne In D Minor, BWV 1004

Tracks:

Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Handel, Op. 24
Gigue (Partita No. 1 In B-Flat Major, BWV 825)
Variation No. 29 (Goldberg Variations, BWV 988)
Musette In D Major, S. Anh. 126 (Clavierbuchlein fur Anna Megdalena Bach)

Customer Reviews:

Tureck: the supreme priest of Bach.......2004-05-28

Rosalyn Tureck belongs to a reduced kind of artists beyond the standard. She belongs to the elite of Casals, Carreno, Furtwangler, Busoni, Kempff, Neveu, Schnabel, Fricsay and Nykolayeva,Sandor Vegh, among others.
His playing on Bach is so natural and fresh that lets you amazed. And that is a syntom of her deep commitment with the score. Her Bach bretahes, the sonority is filled with dyonisiac rapture, and sounds human even erotic. And I'm not kidding with this last statement.
In this live recording, Tureck shows us her high pianism level. One of the fundamentals aspects of the genius is the overwhelming singleness of its playing. The notes are not forced, flow, simply.
Buy this issue. It is a gem for collectors.

upgrade to 4 stars.......2003-03-08

a follow up. She is amazing in the Chaconne. Not as good as Alicia de Larrocha but close and live.

get the osorio.......2003-03-07

I bought this mainly for the Handel Variations. It must be one of the most difficult things to play live. She gives it her all and comes up lacking. But her Bach is great as usual.

I agree with the reviewer about the Ax and the Cliburn Handel Variations. Worth owning both of them, but if you want THE superior reading get the Osorio on some budget label. The best.

A rare gem!.......2002-02-25

A true artist in one of her most mature moments.
Thank you Rosalyn!

Absolutely Flawless !.......2002-02-25

A true artist in one of her most mature interpretations.
Thank you Rosalyn!

The Gould Variations: The Best of Glenn Gould's Bach

Average customer rating:

Gould selections for music newcomers!
A Great CD...
An odd assortment of Gould's "best" Bach
a gould sampling

The Gould Variations: The Best of Glenn Gould's Bach

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004WK47
Release Date: 2000-08-29

Tracks:

Aria
Invention No.1 In C Major, BWV 772
Invention No.3 In D Major, BWV 774
Invention No.8 In F Major, BWV 779
I. Praeambulum
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Tempo Di Minuetto
VI. Passepied
VII. Gigue
'Aria Variata Alla Maniera Italiana' In A Minor, BWV 989
Prelude
Fugue
Prelude
Fugue
Praeambulum In C Major, BWV 924
Praeambulum In F Major, BWV 927
Praeludium In D Minor, BWV 926
Praeludium In D Major, BWV 925
Praeludium In F Major, BWV 928
Praeambulum In G Minor, BWV 930
First Movement
I. Allemande
IV. Gavotte
VII. Gigue
Praeludium In C Major, BWV 933 From 6 Little Preludes, BWV 933-938
Chromatic Fantasy In D Minor, BWV 903a
I. Sinfonia
X. Gigue
I. ( )
II. Adagio
III. Presto
Variation 5 A 1 Ovvero 2 Clav.
Variation 30 A 1 Clav. Quodlibet
Aria Da Capo

Tracks:

Contrapunctus I
Contrapunctus II
Contrapunctus III
Contrapunctus IV
Contrapunctus V
Contrapunctus VI (A 4, Im Stile Francese)
Contrapunctus VII (A 4, Per Augmentationem Et Diminutionem)
Contrapunctus VIII (A 3)
Contrapunctus IX (A 4, Alla Duodecima)

Customer Reviews:

Gould selections for music newcomers!.......2006-02-21

As you know the excel passion of Gould for Bach 's music accompanied him along his lifetime. He not only rediscovered a new approach around Bach 's playing but besides he notably contributed to spread the taste for the Academic music all over the world. He represented the irreverent musician per excellence but his absolute domain of the musical socre, his absolute control and senes of every little bar made of him a must reference at the moment to establish fundamental parameters. He broke paradigms and gave back the music a renovated splendor.

Since his awful vanishing in 1982, a whole generation of new listeners, his name has become as cult pattern. So that is the mainreason to acquire this album, becuase it contains the minimum facets in the intrepretative art of the musician of musicians: Johann Sebastian Bach.

A Great CD..........2004-06-10

If you like Bach and Gould, this is a great CD to start out on, it covers a large variety of recordings by Glenn Gould, and is a great introduction to Bach. Overall this CD is a wonderful sampler, it'll make you want to go out and buy all of his Bach CD's. You wont regret buying this CD, it's something to cherish for years.

An odd assortment of Gould's "best" Bach.......2001-08-07

The "best of Glenn Gould's Bach" is a strange subtitle for a strange sampler. Coming several years after the Sony re-issues of remastered Gould recordings, this collection seems either belated or superfluous. Arguably, the selections don't even represent highlights from the corpi Gould tackled over the years. A disproportionate amount of space is given to relative obscurities, e.g. Aria Variata for keyboard ("in the Italian style"). Surely a legitimate "best of" would include a few more preludes/fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier? Also, the pace of the music over the length of the first disc is almost relentlessly brisk, like a treasury of vintage Dixieland piano rolls. The second disc is interesting as it includes 1 entire LP - Gould's performance on organ of 9 fugues from The Art of Fugue - plus videos of Gould performing fugues on piano. Consequently, while this set is not truly a "best of," it's a valuable collection of oddities and rarities and a worthwhile investment.

a gould sampling.......2000-12-03

this collection is a sampling of glenn gould's bach recordings, relying heavily on his 1955 edition of the goldberg variations and keeping in total the art of the fugue which gould recorded on organ. i would recommend the complete editions of each recording sampled here, but for an introduction to mr. gould and for a nice selection of bach piano, this album suffices.

The Complete 1950s Bach Recordings on Archiv

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The Complete 1950s Bach Recordings on Archiv

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002ANQW2
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Average customer rating:

You get what you pay for

Bach: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
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ASIN: B00062FLII
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

You get what you pay for.......2004-12-04

In the Brandenburg Concerti, the tempo varies, trumpet volleys sound like French Horns, and the flute is off tune half the time. The harpsichordist was good but in one of the concerti, decided to enter at a different tempo than had been set by the rest of the orchestra. Since he had to play some very fast runs later, it is no surprise that he wanted to slow down the orchestra, but maybe they should have worked it out earlier. The orchestra sounds leaderless and out of sync at times. Can't find the groove. Violins are competent but playing with an orchestra that needs to practise what they are going to play a little more.

That covers the first 2 of 40 CDs. Don't know if I can bring myself to listen to the rest. Somebody who didn't know Bach would wonder what the attraction is after listening to this.

Bach: Goldberg Variations; Italian Concerto

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Bach: Goldberg Variations; Italian Concerto

Manufacturer: Classica D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Wanda Landowska plays Haydn and Mozart
A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)

ASIN: B00005B1H6
Release Date: 2001-05-01

Customer Reviews:

Take the plunge!.......2003-08-18

Anyone dubious about buying the Goldberg variations, or the Goldberg variations on the harpsichord, is not likely to regret the risk in picking up a copy of this marvellous classic performance for next to nothing.

From comments I have read there seems to be a belief in some quarters that the instrument Landowska uses is too high-powered to be authentic, but without having any specialised knowledge of the matter I shall risk putting a different view. I have some Couperin, who was a generation ahead of Bach, played by Blandine Verlet, and the first and striking impression you will get comes from the startling power and 'weight' of the instruments she uses. These instruments are contemporary with Couperin, they are if anything more powerful in tone than the seemingly contentious beast used by Landowska, so I have to be sceptical regarding the challenges to its authenticity.

Tracks:

Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern
Du Wahrer Gottes und Marien Sohn
Erfuellet, ihr himmlischen goettlichen Flammen
Ein irdscher Glanz, wein leiblich Licht
Unser Mund und Ton der Saiten
Wie Schon Leuchtet Der Morgenstern, BWV 1: Chor: 'Wie Bin Ich Doch So Herzlich Froh' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger
Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein, BWV 2: Chor: 'Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger
Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein, BWV 2: Recitativo: 'Sie Lehren Eitel Falsche List' - Kurt Equiluz
Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein, BWV 2: Aria: 'Tilg, O Gott, Die Lehren' - Paul Esswood
Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein, BWV 2: Recitativo: 'Die Armen Sind Verstort' - Max Van Egmond
Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein, BWV 2: Aria: 'Durchs Feuer Wird Das Silber Rein' - Kurt Equiluz
Ach Gott, Vom Himmel Sieh Darein, BWV 2: Chor: 'Das Wollst Du, Gott, Bewahren Rein' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger
Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid, BWV 3: Chor: 'Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger
Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid, BWV 3: Choral Recitativo: 'Wie Schwerlich Lasst Sich Fleisch Und... - Wiener Sangerknaben/Hans Gillesberger/Paul Esswood/Kurt Equiluz/Max Van Egmond...
Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid, BWV 3: Aria: 'Empfind Ich Hollenangst Und Pein' - Max Van Egmond
Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid, BWV 3: Recitativo: 'Es Mag Mir Leib Und Geist Verschmachten' - Kurt Equiluz
Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid, BWV 3: Aria: 'Wenn Sorgen Auf Mich Dringen' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Hans Gillesberger/Paul Esswood
Ach Gott, Wie Manches Herzeleid, BWV 3: Chor: 'Erhalt Mein Herz Im Glauben Rein' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger

Tracks:

Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erloesen
O Schmerz, o Elend, so mich trifft
Solls ja so sein
Ach lege das Sodom der suendlichen Glieder
Hier aber tut des Heilands Hand
Ich Elender Mensch, Wer Wird Mich Erlosen, BWV 48: Aria: 'Vergibt Mir Jesus Meine Sunden' - Kurt Equiluz
Ich Elender Mensch, Wer Wird Mich Erlosen, BWV 48: Chor: 'Herr Jesu Christ, Einiger Trost' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger
Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen, BWV 49: Sinf - Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen, BWV 49: Aria: 'Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen' - Ruud Van Der Meer
Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen, BWV 49: Recitativo Ed Arioso: 'Mein Mahl Ist Zubereit'' - Ruud Van Der Meer/Peter Jelosits
Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen, BWV 49: Aria: 'Ich Bin Herrlich, Ich Bin Schon' - Peter Jelosits
Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen, BWV 49: Recitativo: 'Mein Glaube Hat Mich Selbst So Angezogen' - Peter Jelosits/Ruud Van Der Meer
Ich Geh Und Suche Mit Verlangen, BWV 49: Aria (Duetto): 'Dich Hab Ich Je Und Je Geliebet' - Peter Jelosits/Ruud Van Der Meer
Nun Ist Das Heil Und Die Kraft, BWV 50: Chor: 'Nun Ist Das Heil Und Die Kraft' - Wiener Sangerknaben/Chor Viennensis/Hans Gillesberger
Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen, BWV 51: Aria: 'Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen!' - Marianne Kweksilber
Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen, BWV 51: Recitativo: 'Wir Beten Zu Dem Tempel An' - Marianne Kweksilber
Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen, BWV 51: Aria: 'Hochster, Mache Deine Gute' - Marianne Kweksilber
Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen, BWV 51: Chor: 'Sei Lob Und Preis Mit Ehren' - Marianne Kweksilber
Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen, BWV 51: Aria: 'Alleluja!' - Marianne Kweksilber

Tracks:

(Caro) Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
(Alto, Tenore) Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
(Soprano) Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
(Basso) Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
(Alto) Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan, BWV 100: Chor: 'Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan' - Knabenchor Hannover/Heinz Hennig/Collegium Vocale, Gent/Philippe Herreweghe
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Chor: 'Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott' - Tolzer Knabenchor/Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Aria: 'Handle Nicht Nach Deinen Rechten' - Kurt Equiluz
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Recitativo-Chor: 'Ach! Herr Gott, Durch Die Treue Dein' - Wilhelm Wiedl
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Aria: 'Warum Willst Du So Zornig Sein?' - Philippe Huttenlocher
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Recitativo-Chor: 'Die Sund Hat Uns Verderbet Sehr' - Kurt Equiluz
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Aria (Duetto): 'Gedenk An Jesu Bittern Tod!' - Wilhelm Wiedl/Paul Esswood
Nimm Von Uns, Herr, Du Treuer Gott, BWV 101: Chor: 'Leit Uns Mit Deiner Rechten Hand' - Tolzer Knabenchor/Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Prima Parte: Chor: 'Herr, Deine Augen Sehen... - Tolzer Knabenchor/Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Prima Parte: Recitativo: 'Wo Ist Das Ebenbild' - Philippe Huttenlocher
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Prima Parte: Aria: 'Weh Der Seele' - Paul Esswood
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Prima Parte: Arioso: 'Verachtest Du Den... - Philippe Huttenlocher
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Seconda Parte: Aria: 'Erschrecke Doch, Du... - Kurt Equiluz
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Seconda Parte: Recitativo: 'Beim Warten Ist... - Paul Esswood
Herr, Deine Augen Sehen Nach Dem Glauben, BWV 102, Seconda Parte: Chor: Heut Lebst Du, Heut... - Tolzer Knabenchor/Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden

Tracks:

Sinfonia
Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich
Doch bin und bleibe ich vergnuegt
Leite mich in deiner Wahrheit
Zedern muessen von den Winden
Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Chor: 'Meine Augen Sehen Stets Zu Dem Herrn' - Knabenchor Hannover/Heinz Hennig/Collegium Vocale, Gent/Philippe Herreweghe
Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Chor: 'Meine Tage In Dem Leide' - Knabenchor Hannover/Heinz Hennig/Collegium Vocale, Gent/Philippe Herreweghe
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt, BWV 151: Aria: 'Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt' - Sebastian Hennig
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt, BWV 151: Recitativo: 'Erfreue Dich, Mein Herz' - Max Van Egmond
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt, BWV 151: Aria: 'In Jesu Demut Kann Ich Trost' - Paul Esswood
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt, BWV 151: Recitativo: 'Du Teurer Gottessohn' - Kurt Equiluz
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt, BWV 151: Chor: 'Heut Schleusst Er Wieder Auf Die Tur' - Knabenchor Hannover/Heinz Hennig/Collegium Vocale, Gent/Philippe Herreweghe
Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: Con - Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: Aria: 'Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn' - Thomas Hampson
Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: Recitativo: 'Der Heiland Ist Gesetzt' - Thomas Hampson
Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: Aria: 'Stein, Der Uber Alle Schatze' - Christoph Wegmann
Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: Recitativo: 'Es Argre Sich Die Kluge Welt' - Thomas Hampson
Tritt Auf Die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: Duetto: 'Wie Soll Ich Dich, Liebster Der Seelen, Umfassen?' - Christoph Wegmann/Thomas Hampson
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Chor: 'Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind' - Tolzer Knabenchor//Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Recitativo: 'Mein Liebster Gott' - Stefan Rampf
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Aria: 'Furchte Dich Nicht, Ich Bin Mit Dir' - Thomas Hampson
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Recitativo: 'Du Sprichst Zwar, Lieber Gott' - Kurt Equiluz
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Chor: 'Und Ob Gleich Alle Teufel - Tolzer Knabenchor//Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Aria: 'Sturmt Nur, Sturmt, Ihr Trubsalswetter' - Kurt Equiluz
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Recitativo: 'Getrost! Mein Herz, Erdulde Deinen... - Thomas Hampson
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Aria: 'Soll Ich Meinen Lebeslauf' - Stefan Rampf
Schau, Lieber Gott, Wie Meine Feind, BWV 153: Chor: 'Drum Will Ich, Weil Ich Lebe Noch' - Tolzer Knabenchor//Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden

Tracks:

Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht
Auf, Sterbliche, lasset ein Jauchzen ertoenen
So bald, als dir die Sternen hold
Es streiten, es siegen die kuenftigen Zeiten
Bedenke nur, begluecktes Land
Die Zeit, Die Tag Und Jahre Macht, BWV 134A: Aria: 'Der Zeiten Herr Hat Viel Vergnugte Stunden' - Michael Chance
Die Zeit, Die Tag Und Jahre Macht, BWV 134A: Recitativo: 'Hilf, Hochster, Hilf' - Michael Chance/Paul Agnew
Die Zeit, Die Tag Und Jahre Macht, BWV 134A: Chor: 'Ergetzet Auf Erden' - The Amsterdam Baroque Chor/Ton Koopman
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Recitativo: 'Durchlauchtster Leopold' - Lisa Larsson
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Aria: 'Guldner Sonnen Frohe Stunden' - Lisa Larsson
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Aria: 'Leopolds Vortrefflichkeiten' - Klaus Mertens
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Aria: 'Unter Seinem Purpursaum' - Lisa Larsson/Klaus Mertens
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Recitativo: 'Durchlauchtigster, Den Anhalt Vater Nennt' - Lisa Larsson/Klaus Mertens
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Aria: 'So Schau Des Holden Tages Licht' - Lisa Larsson
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Aria: 'Dein Name Gleich Der Sonnen Geh' - Klaus Mertens
Durchlauchtster Leopold, BWV 173A: Chor: 'Nimm Auch, Grosser Furst, Uns Auf' - Lisa Larsson/Klaus Mertens

Tracks:

Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Laudamus te
Mass in b, BWV 232: I. Missa: Gloria: Gratias Agimus Tibi - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
Mass in b, BWV 232: I. Missa: Gloria: Domine Deus - Angela Maria Blasi/Kurt Equiluz
Mass in b, BWV 232: I. Missa: Gloria: Qui Tollis - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
Mass in b, BWV 232: I. Missa: Gloria: Qui Sedes - Jadwiga Rappe
Mass in b, BWV 232: I. Missa: Gloria: Quoniam To Solus - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
Mass in b, BWV 232: I. Missa: Gloria: Cum Sancto Spiritu - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner

Tracks:

Singet dem Herrn ein neres Lied
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
Komm, Jesu, komm
Jesu, meine Freude
Fuerchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir
Lobet Den Herrn, Alle Heiden, BWV 230 - Stockholm Bach Chor/Anders Ohrwall

Tracks:

Fantasia et Fuga in g BWV 542
Fuga in g BWV 578
Canzona in d BWV 588
Praeludium et Fuga in h BWV 544
Praeludium et Fuga in a BWV 543
Fant in c, BWV 562 - Ton Koopman
Prld Et Fuga in C, BWV 531 - Ton Koopman
Fant in G, BWV 572 - Ton Koopman
Fant in C, BWV 570 - Ton Koopman
Passacaglia in c, BWV 582 - Ton Koopman

Tracks:

Inventio 1 BWV 772
Inventio 2 BWV 773
Inventio 3 BWV 774
Inventio 4 BWV 775
Inventio 5 BWV 776
Inventio 6 in E, BWV 777 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 7 in e, BWV 778 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 8 in F, BWV 779 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 9 in f, BWV 780 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 10 in G, BWV 781 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 11 in g, BWV 782 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 12 in A, BWV 783 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 13 in a, BWV 784 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 14 in B flat, BWV 785 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Inventio 15 in b, BWV 786 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 1 in C, BWV 787 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 2 in c, BWV 788 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 3 in D, BWV 789 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 4 in d, BWV 790 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 5 in E flat, BWV 791 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 6 in E, BWV 792 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 7 in e, BWV 793 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 8 in F, BWV 794 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 9 in f, BWV 795 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 10 in G, BWV 796 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 11 in g, BWV 797 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 12 in A, BWV 798 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 13 in a, BWV 799 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 14 in B flat, BWV 800 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Sinf 15 in b, BWV 801 - Zuzana Ruzickova

Tracks:

Prelude and Fugue in A minor: Praeludium
Prelude and Fugue in A minor: Fuga
Prelude and Fughetta in E minor: Praeludium
Prelude and Fughetta in E minor: Fuga
Prelude in G major BWV 902a
Fant And Fugue in a, BWV 904: Fant - Zuzana Ruzickova
Fant And Fugue in a, BWV 904: Fuga - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in C, BWV 924 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in D, BWV 925 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in d, BWV 926 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in F, BWV 927 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in F, BWV 928 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in g, BWV 930 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Clavier-Buchlein Vor W.F. Bach: Prld in a, BWV 931 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Prld in E, BWV 937 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Prld in C, BWV 939 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Prld in d, BWV 940 - Zuzana Ruzickova
Applicatio in C, BWV 994 - Zuzana Ruzickova

Tracks:

Suite in G minor BWV 995: Prelude
Suite in G minor BWV 995: Allemande
Suite in G minor BWV 995: Courante
Suite in G minor BWV 995: Sarabande
Suite in G minor BWV 995: Gavotte I - Gavotte II en Rondeau
Ste in g, BWV 995: Gigue - Luca Pianca
Ste in e, BWV 996: Prld (Passagio-Presto) - Michele Barchi
Ste in e, BWV 996: Allemande - Michele Barchi
Ste in e, BWV 996: Courante - Michele Barchi
Ste in e, BWV 996: Sarabande - Michele Barchi
Ste in e, BWV 996: Bourree - Michele Barchi
Ste in e, BWV 996: Gigue - Michele Barchi
Ste in c, BWV 997: Prld - Michele Barchi/Luca Pianca
Ste in c, BWV 997: Fuga - Michele Barchi/Luca Pianca
Ste in c, BWV 997: Sarabande - Michele Barchi/Luca Pianca
Ste in c, BWV 997: Gigue-Double - Michele Barchi/Luca Pianca

Tracks:

Concerto for two violins BWV 1043: Vivace
Concerto for two violins BWV 1043: Largo, ma non tanto
Concerto for two violins BWV 1043: Allegro
Concerto BWV 1042: Allegro
Concerto BWV 1042: Adagio
Con in E, BWV 1042: Allegro Assai - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in a, BWV 1041: Allegro - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in a, BWV 1041: Andante - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in a, BWV 1041: Allegro Assai - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in g, BWV 1056R: (Allegro) - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in g, BWV 1056R: Largo - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in g, BWV 1056R: Presto - Alice Harnoncourt
Con in g, BWV 1060R: Allegro - Jurg Schaeftlein/Alice Harnoncourt
Con in g, BWV 1060R: Adagio - Jurg Schaeftlein/Alice Harnoncourt
Con in g, BWV 1060R: Allegro - Jurg Schaeftlein/Alice Harnoncourt

Amazon.com

The Bach renaissance--which began in earnest in the early 19th century thanks to the efforts of Felix Mendelssohn and others--inspired an endeavor of far-reaching significance. It led to the founding of the Bach Society in 1850, with the goal of gathering and publishing the composer's complete works, and thus set into motion one of the great projects of musical scholarship. That effort has continued and been refined throughout the 20th century, ultimately influencing not only our perception of how to perform early music but fundamental ideas of musical history, evolution, and reception as well.

Teldec's mammoth Bach 2000 box set represents a kind of culmination of that original attempt to come to terms with Johann Sebastian Bach's unparalleled legacy. This set brings together performances recorded over the last several decades--a small percentage of the recordings are previously unreleased--of all the extant works determined by modern scholarship to be authentic. There are also some pieces the authorship of which is still in question and a few now deemed "inauthentic" but familiarly associated with the composer. Bach was a prodigious reviser of his compositions, and alternate versions of a particular work have been included "where the changes seemed sufficiently important," such as the glorious Magnificat. No doubt manuscripts will continue to be unearthed here and there in various archives (Bach 2000 contains, for example, the "Neumeister chorales," which were rediscovered in 1984), but the set does not represent the many fragments of music that consist of just a few bars; however, there are some reconstructions of lost concertos (such as one for three violins reconstructed by Christopher Hogwood from an extant concerto for harpsichords).

Of course a truly comprehensive recorded edition of every note Bach wrote remains a utopian impossibility--about one-third of his cantatas, for example, have not survived. Even so, the dimensions of Bach 2000 are staggering. With its 12 boxes comprising 153 CDs, the set can be compressed into fewer boxes to save shelf space yet is still about ten times as long as the Ring cycle. (It should be noted that the packaging--using thin cardboard sleeves for the CDs--is distinctively unattractive.) That adds up to just under 160 hours of music--but a lifetime of discovery. Each box (grouped according to genre) contains a booklet with excellent notes on individual works and--for all the choral works--texts and translations. Tracking indexes are useful and thorough. Also included is a profusely illustrated hardbound volume of 24 Inventions, in which journalist Wolfgang Sandberger uses the composer's biography as a peg for some enigmatic and fascinating musings on the meaning of Bach today.

The presiding philosophy behind this project and its approach to musical interpretation can be largely ascribed to Nikolaus Harnoncourt, a true musical pioneer and galvanizing force of the "period performance" movement. Harnoncourt's epoch-making recordings of the sacred cantatas (using, for instance, boy sopranos and choristers according to the practice in Bach's time) with the Concentus musicus Wien and colleague Gustav Leonhardt comprise the first four volumes here (those who already own them can turn to the Bach 2000 Light edition, which contains everything sans the cantatas). These recordings--which were not remastered for this set--have long been controversial and are notably uneven, embracing some magnificent accounts as well as others that lack fire and seem clearly underrehearsed. But Harnoncourt is one of the most fascinating conductors of our era, and his interpretations amply bear out his assertion: "I have never felt that Bach worked in a routine manner, that he repeated himself in his works." Harnoncourt--who has articulated many of his ideas in his book The Musical Dialogue--displays his gifts as a cellist in a remarkably probing performance of the Cello Suites (originally recorded in 1965) and in his concertizing for a number of chamber works. For the St. Matthew Passion, you get Harnoncourt's groundbreaking earlier account from 1970, while his 1986 recording of the sublime B Minor Mass is also represented here (the St. John Passion included is Harnoncourt's 1995 acount).

Other artists included are colleague Gustav Leonhardt, whose thoughtful if occasionally dry harpsichord artistry is heard in the Goldberg Variations as well as in the concertos and chamber music. The harpsichord is in fact used throughout in preference to piano for the keyboard works. Ton Koopman (himself the conductor of an ongoing complete cantata series and of the Easter Oratorio included here) performs the organ works, including some newly recorded offerings, while Il Giardino Armonico's well-known high-energy account represents the Brandenburg Concertos. Violinist Thomas Zehetmair is exceptionally compelling in the unaccompanied sonatas and partitas, and the Concentus musicus Wien--again under Harnoncourt--perform a superb Musical Offering that richly repays frequent listening.

The result of Bach 2000 as a whole is an aptly encyclopedic grappling with the infinite legacy of this most compendious of composers, whose works are on one level a summation of all the styles available to him. Bach was once thought to represent a "terminal point" (to use Albert Schweitzer's famous formulation), the end of an era; today he is at least equally recognized as a fertile source of inspiration for composers since. To be sure, individual recordings of particular works will be found to be preferable, and it would be misguided to consider Bach 2000 any kind of "final" or "definitive" word. Instead, it's an indispensable starting point that represents a monumental achievement for our own contemporary understanding of Bach. --Thomas May

Album Description

Volume 1, 15 Discs
Sacred Cantatas Nos. 1-14, 16-47; 15 CDs; Harnoncourt/Leonhardt

Volume 2, 15 Discs
Sacred Cantatas Nos. 48-52, 54-69, 69A, 70-99; 15 CDs; Harnoncourt/Leonhardt

Volume 3, 15 Discs
Sacred Cantatas Nos. 100-117, 119-140,143-149; 15 CDs; Harnoncourt/Leonhardt

Volume 4, 15 Discs
Sacred Cantatas BWV 150-159, 161-188, 192, 194-199; 15 CDs; Harnoncourt/Leonhardt

Volume 5, 11 Discs
Secular Cantatas App. Sacred Cantatas; 11 CDs; Koopman, Harnoncourt, Koopman, Goebel and others

Volume 6, 14 Discs
The Sacred Vocal Works Masses,Magnificat, Passions, Oratorios; 14 CDs; Harnoncourt, Koopman, Corboz and others

Volume 7
, 7 Discs
The Motets, Chorales & Songs Kirnberger Chorales,Schemelli Songs, Quodlibet

Volume 8, 16 Discs
The Organ Works; 16 CDs; Ton Koopman

Volume 9, 11 Discs
The Keyboard Works (I) The Well-Tempered Clavier, English & French Suites, Partitas etc; 11 CDs; Curtis, Ross, Wilson, Ruzickova

Volume 10, 11 Discs
The Keyboard Works (II) Goldberg Variations, Toccatas, Fugues, Italian Concerto, etc; 11 CDs; Staier, Barchi, Leonhardt, von Asperen, Baumont, and others

Volume 11, 13 Discs
The Chamber Music Violin Sonatas & Partitas, Flute Sonatas, Works for Lute, Art of Fugue, Musical Offering, etc; 13 CDs; Harnoncourt, Pianca, Tachezi, Brggen, Zehetmair, and others

Volume 12, 10 Discs
The Orchestral Works The Concertos & Orchestral Suite; 10 CDs; Il Giardino Armonico, Harnoncourt, Leonhardt

Customer Reviews:

Bach is priceless.......2006-11-10

I believe, as another reviewer has stated, Bach's music may be the best ever written. Also, I think the cantatas are not where Bach placed his heart and soul. He was, after all, employed as a canter and in a position he did not wish for, but was forced to take to feed his large family. (I recommend "Bach and the High Baroque" lecture series by TTC.) What really stands out on this collection are all works in volumes 8 and above. Some of these works are hard to find and having them all in this collection and preformed on original instruments is great. Bach is priceless and so then is this collection.

Buy the works you like...........2006-01-11

If you love Bach, which you must if you are looking at this particular item, you probably own a couple of his works already. Perhaps some of them are on the Teldec label. There is nothing wrong with Teldec if you are just getting into "classical" music. You will probably enjoy the music thoroughly. I know I did, as one of the first "classical" releases I bought was on Teldec, and it was Bach. I was amazed how great Bach was. Then my brother showed me the same recording, performed by another group, on another label. It had a lot more passion, and the instrumentalists were obviously of a higher level. Pardon my rambling, but what I'm trying to say is, the recordings found in this boxset are not the "cream of the crop." They are perfectly acceptable, easily listenable renditions of what many consider the greatest music...EVER. Take it from me, someone who has leapt into boxset land one too many times: Save your money, buy the individual albums. Take your time, talk to record store clerks (read Amazon reviews), do your research. If you are lucky enough to have a decent record store around, listen to multiple versions of the same work. No one said you had to buy it all at once. It can take a lifetime to fully realize the potency of this music, so enjoy the discovery as long as possible.

Poor Bach.......2005-11-26

In Antony & Cleopatra, Shakespeare wrote: "I shall see some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness...."

I am 99% in favor of original instrument performances, but there are limits. Just imagine if we had the same sort of thing going on with Shakespeare's plays -- men and boys playing all of the women's parts. And if we *really* wanted to be original, they would be squeaking boys "I' th' posture of a whore" (Shakespeare's words). Such performances would knock Monty Python
right out of business.

The Cantatas, which are the lion's share of this collection, are sung by boys, boys, boys. If you want to ruin boy choirs for yourself, then go for it. It might still be a novelty by the fifth CD but by the fiftieth, you will want to throw your &*%$ wig at the squeaking speakers, just as the exasperated Bach famously did with his own wig and his own boy choir. (For which he was reprimanded.)

Does Harnoncourt really, honestly think that Bach would have picked a boy choir if he could have had women? Does anyone seriously believe that Shakespeare would have preferred his parts played by boys instead of women?

If you buy this set, don't buy it for the Cantatas, unless (unlike Bach) you can tolerate immature voices with "wig-tossingly" inconsistent intonation. Hold out for Suzuki or Koopman. Stay away from the Rifkin perfomances, mostly because the recording quality is second and third rate by today's standards. Not that historical performances should be shunned, but you might want to think twice about 60 odd CDs worth of second rate sound.

A Treasure Trove.......2004-03-07

This set is the culmination of several decades of work on the part of the West German record label Teldec (formerly known as Telefunken-Decca). With their early-music subdivision Das Alte Werk (similar to DG's Archiv or Decca's L'Oiseau-Lyre), Teldec have been in the forefront of exploring the world of period instruments and authentic performance practice, with special emphasis on the works of J.S.Bach. The lion's share of recordings here was originally made for Das Alte Werk, with the odd exception here and there licensed from other labels in order to fill in the gaps. The centerpiece of the set is the famous recording of the 199 church cantatas by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Gustav Leonhardt. If you're not familiar with the cantatas, there's a whole world of drama, color and expression right here waiting for you. You'll also be surprised to learn how many of the "tunes" you know from popular arrangements, like "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Sleepers Awake" are actually movements from cantatas. The names of Harnoncourt and Leonhardt pop up again and again; they were both mainstays of the Teldec roster. Leonhardt gives us his 1965 Goldberg Variations on a Dulcken harpsichord whose every tone is like a bell, and Harnoncourt's "home" recording of the Cello Suites (never intended for general release) shows the ferment of a great musical mind. Ton Koopman gives us his provocative and controversial re-thinkings of the organ works, and Thomas Zehetmair's performances of the unaccompanied violin sonatas and partitas are like dramatic scenes spoken by a solo violin. Here are the uniquely bizarre Brandenburg Concertos by Il Giardino Armonico; the rhetorical and transparent performance of the motets conducted by Harnoncourt (perhaps his best-ever recording); Leonhardt's relaxed and smiling versions of the harpsichord concertos; Alice Harnoncourt's tawny, leonine performances of the sonatas for violin and harpsichord; Harnoncourt's chiaroscuro-filled performance of the Christmas Oratorio, and so on. This set is one of the most worthwhile CD buys you could make. You will never be bored with this to dip into over the years.

147 out of 153 ain't bad!.......2001-04-29

Having listened to the complete set, I can confidently recommend it, if you would use a complete set of Bach's works.

If you really like Bach, it is well worth getting. You will read disparaging reviews which will tell you that there are better performances of individual works. But this is a great opportunity for a Bach lover to get very good versions of his entire oeuvre.

In the set of 60 CDs of sacred cantatas, there are about 6 duds, which feature out of tune boy sopranos! If you are not crazy about sacred cantatas, you can buy a set which omits them, which may be advised!

I love the version of the Mass in B minor, though it is very different from our set by Munchinger [which we really enjoy].

The Brandenburgs are great. THe first movement of the first concerto is a knock out! Very brassy and bombastic: quite different from the 3 or 4 other versions I have previously enjoyed.

We are a piano family and have many CDs of Bach keyboard works played on piano [though we also have the Well Tempered Clavier on harpsichord and clavichord] The keyboard performances in the set are all on harpsichord and are lively and very enjoyable.

It takes some getting used to the authentic Baroque flute performances: especially occasional out-of-tuneness. But these are also interesting and musically played.

If you would use a set of all of Bach's extant works, it is a great choice. It is competitively priced and I love the packaging.

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