Bach: Complete Partitas For Harpsichord

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Partitas were among the very few compositions that Bach himself published--by subscription at his own expense. Each one appeared alone over several years, and then finally as a complete set of six. A partita is exactly the same thing as a suite, simply a collection of stylized dance pieces often preceded by an overture or prelude. Because Bach saw them into print, it is obvious that he regarded them as something exceptional, and they are widely regarded as the finest keyboard suites ever composed. Blandine Verlet is a spectacular artist whose name deserves to be better known in this country. She continued her survey of Bach keyboard works on Auvidis, and this Philips recording is a solitary effort for the label. It's very, very good. --David Hurwitz

Bach: Complete Partitas For Harpsichord, Music, Johann Sebastian Bach, Blandine Verlet, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Keyboard, Suite/Partita for Keyboard
Bach: Complete Partitas For Harpsichord
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • With my best wishes !
  • Simply Awful!
  • Bach played with astonishing artistry and virtuosity.
 Bach: Complete Partitas For Harpsichord

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000041A7
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

  1. No 1 in B flat, BWV 825: Praeludium
  2. No 1 in B flat, BWV 825: Allemande
  3. No 1 in B flat, BWV 825: Corrente
  4. No 1 in B flat, BWV 825: Sarabande
  5. No 1 in B flat, BWV 825: Menuet I-II
  6. No 1 in B flat, BWV 825: Giga
  7. No 2 in C minor, BWV 826: Sinfonia (Grave adagio -- Andante)
  8. No 2 in C minor, BWV 826: Allemande
  9. No 2 in C minor, BWV 826: Courante
  10. No 2 in C minor, BWV 826: Sarabande
  11. No 2 in C minor, BWV 826: Rondeaux
  12. No 2 in C minor, BWV 826: Capriccio
  13. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Fantasia
  14. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Allemande
  15. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Corrente
  16. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Sarabande
  17. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Burlesca
  18. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Scherzo
  19. No 3 in A minor, BWV 827: Gigue
  20. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Ouverture
  21. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Allemande
  22. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Courante
  23. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Aria
  24. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Sarabande
  25. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Menuet
  26. No 4 in D, BWV 828: Gigue

Tracks:

  1. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Praeambulum
  2. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Allemande
  3. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Corrente
  4. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Sarabande
  5. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Tempo di minuetto
  6. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Passepied
  7. Partita No. 5 In G, BWV 829: Gigue
  8. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Toccata
  9. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Allemande
  10. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Corrente
  11. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Air
  12. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Sarabande
  13. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Tempo di gavotta
  14. Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830: Gigue
  15. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Ouverture
  16. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Courante
  17. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Gavotte I-II
  18. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Passepied I-II
  19. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Sarabande
  20. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Bourree I-II
  21. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Gigue
  22. Partita In B Minor, BWV 831: Echo

Amazon.com

The Partitas were among the very few compositions that Bach himself published--by subscription at his own expense. Each one appeared alone over several years, and then finally as a complete set of six. A partita is exactly the same thing as a suite, simply a collection of stylized dance pieces often preceded by an overture or prelude. Because Bach saw them into print, it is obvious that he regarded them as something exceptional, and they are widely regarded as the finest keyboard suites ever composed. Blandine Verlet is a spectacular artist whose name deserves to be better known in this country. She continued her survey of Bach keyboard works on Auvidis, and this Philips recording is a solitary effort for the label. It's very, very good. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars With my best wishes !.......2007-01-11

If you enjoy listening Harpsichord the real ''baroque'' way this is the CD to acquire. The unique sound of the older Harpsichord played by Blandine Verlet transforms the experience into a marvelous journey in time.
Cheers !

1 out of 5 stars Simply Awful!.......2005-09-10

I've bought 200+ CD's over the years, and this is the only CD in my collection that I cannot listen to. There is a rythmic instability in the playing that is atrocious. I've learnt a number of these partitas, heard numerous recordings of them, and cannot fathom why this performer tries to contort the rhythms as she does. Obviously as a musician one must decide when to bend the rhythm a little - a la Casals or other great Bach interpreters, but in this recording the distortions are that bad that the music has completely lost its meaning and continuity.

Listen to the opening line of the first partita before buying this CD - a simple phrase is completely distorted. Also, be sure to listen to the gigue of this same first partita - it sounds like a child practicing! Listen to Richard Goode or numerous others play this gigue and you'll wonder how this CD was ever released.

5 out of 5 stars Bach played with astonishing artistry and virtuosity........2000-07-19

Virgil Thomson once described a recital of Wanda Landowska playing Bach on the harpsichord as being "as stimulating as a needle shower." Well, the same applies to another female master of the harpsichord, Blandine Verlet, who here performs Bach's "Partitas," among the most intricate, demanding works ever composed for the keyboard, with a mixture of white-knuckled control and breathtaking expression heard only in the performances of people who are in absolute control of their instruments, on every level. And Verlet is indeed, since the death of Landowska, sans peer as an interpreter of Bach on the harpsichord. This is music of surpassing sublimity, performed with grace, wit (yes, wit), passion and even restraint by a truly astounding musician. Bach performed to perfection--could there be a better reason to buy this CD?

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