Bach J.S: Toccata & Fugue Bwv 565, Fantasie Bwv 572, Pastorale Bwv 590, etc. [Import]

Track Listings

1. (1-2) Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, Bwv 565

2. (3-5) Fantasia In G Major, Bwv 572

3. (6-10) Canonic Variations On The Christmas Hymn"Vom Hommel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her",Bwv 769

4. (11-12) Prelude & Fugue In D Major, Bwv 532

5. (13-16) Pastorale In F Major, Bwv 590

6. (17-18) Prelude & Fugue In E Flat Major, Bwv 552 "St Anne"

Amazon.com

A lot of pianophiles have been waiting for the reissue of this 1980 LP, Argerich's only Bach recording. She played the same Partita at her Carnegie Hall recital in the Spring of 2000, suggesting that she just doesn't play much Bach. These performances have the pianist's typical intensity of approach. Her fingers do the talking, with some dazzling clear articulation reminiscent of Glenn Gould on a good day, and she seldom blurs any of the textures. She also has a very good feeling for Bach's dance rhythms; the closing Gigue of the Partita makes you want to jump up and put on your dancing shoes. Argerich uses an unusually wide dynamic range for Bach, and some of the dreamy slow movements won't be to the taste of all listeners. Nobody, though, will be able to ignore these performances; while they are playing, they seem like the only way to do it. The 1980 sound is still fine, and although the disc is LP length (50 minutes), the price is right. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

No hummer.......2007-07-22

Do you think humming along with your piano playing is charming? If not try this recording by Martha Agerich--just the right amount of sostenuto. Also for the Partitas--Richard Goode is a must-have.

Kevin Lee.......2007-02-21

She was so wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone is learning or being interested in Bach keyboard work.

Mystic crystal revelation, and the mind's true liberation.......2006-10-26

When Martha Argerich recorded this music in 1980 it must have been the Age of Aquarius. What a beautiful recording. Her rendition of Bach's Toccata BWV 911 surpasses any of Bach's keyboard music I've heard. Dubravka Tomsic's Toccata BWV 912 is also great, but Argerich's 911 is greater. Glenn Gould would have to come in third with these pieces.

Why is Argerich the best? Because she has heart. She plays with love of Bach and love of humanity. (This may be redundant.) Tomsic's precision is not without feeling, but Gould is not humane. He was a genius, of course, and he could make your mind dance. But Glenn Gould could not enter your heart nor the heart of Bach.

About four minutes into the Toccata Argerich plays the first of Bach's counterpoint passages on this disc and enters the realm of mystic crystal revelation. The space-time continuum is transcended. As time stands still Argerich and Bach create perfect forms of sound - nothing like the world mess and ourselves in it. Such transcendences occur frequently throughout this recording.

Martha Argerich was born in 1941 in Argentina . She was a child prodigy, playing the piano at age three and giving her debut concert at age eight. In 1965 she made her first recordings, including works by Chopin, Brahms, Ravel, Prokofiev and Liszt. Her technique has been described as "formidable" and has been compared to that of Vladimir Horowitz.

She has had a life-long aversion to the press and to publicity. As a result, she has remained relatively unknown to the general public. But to lovers of classical piano she is widely recognized as one of the great piano virtuosos of our time.

Just about the time of this Bach recording, Argerich frequently remarked that she felt "lonely" during solo performances. She then started focusing on orchestral and chamber music, accompanying instrumentalists in concertos and sonatas. This is her only solo recording of Bach. She performed one more recording of Bach, cello sonatas with Mischa Maisky, which is also excellent. These are her only two Bach recordings. They are priceless gems.

And love will steer the stars

Dramatic infusion .......2005-07-25

Given Martha Argerich's career, you would not expect Bach to be at the forefront - and it isn't - but when she put her mind to the Baroque master in this recording, the result was brilliant. Right from the opening first few bars of the C-minor Toccata, Ms. Argerich sets a tone of great excitement and anticipation of what is to come - and by the time she is into the great fugue, you realize you a hearing an exceptional approach to Bach. Her tone here is one of supreme confidence and a feeling of authority that brings to the imagination the historical images we have of Bach's daughting and larger-than-life keyboard playing.

Yet, a standard Argerich critique of "overdriving" the tempos does not seem to apply here as far as a negative effect. Even though her tempos are often quicker, they do not seem overdone, Romanticised or out-of-place but create a fresh excitement and dramatic infusion. After all, pieces like the toccatas were flamboyant works to show off the keyboardist's virtuosity and technique, and Argerich rises fully to that purpose (apparently disregarding Bach's tempo indications in places) and going all out - perhaps reminding us of the power of Bach's untouchable playing. While her aggressive (but quite interesting) approach to the noble-minded Courante might not bode well for some, she almost makes up for it with surprisingly tender and almost hypnotic sarabandes - movements in which she does seem to capture the subtle, inner qualities.

As much as I normally prefer Angela Hewitt's Bach recordings, I have to say I really like Martha's spunk and extravertness here even more at times - especially in the Toccata with her bold and confident galloping triplet rhythms that seems to nicely capture the free-spirited nature of this work (ditto for the Partita). This is superb music by any measure that is recorded in full, dynamic sound on DG. It is also really a historic recording for both Bach lovers and Argerich fans because it is some of the only Bach Ms. Argerich recorded. Judging from the 18/19 Amazon reviewers so far who gave this CD Five Stars, I would say this CD is a special treat to be savored.

Highest Recommendation for Bach on Piano.......2005-04-10

This recording would make an interesting blind listening test, given the pianist's reputation for passion. Those who assume Martha's Bach will be spoiled by romantic excess are in for a big surprise. This CD is as good as any Bach on piano I've ever heard, and rivals Savall's Art of Fugue as an essential Bach recording.

Like Glenn Gould, Argerich attempts to emulate a harpsichord on the piano, by limiting the pedals and variations in tone, volume, and rhthym. She is clear, dry, and imparts a fugue or dance movement with dazzling energy and control. The result is very consistent with authentic baroque interpretation, and more listenable to my ears than an actual harpsichord, which I prefer to hear in ensemble rather than solo.

Also recommended: Gould's French Suites (now on 1 CD), Bylsma's Cello Suites, Podger's Violin Sonatas, Pinnock's Harpsichord Concertos (DG Trio), and of course, Savall's Art of Fugue.

Top 100 Masterpieces of Classical Music (Collectors Edition) (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Top 100 Masterpieces of Classical Music (Collectors Edition) (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Moods
Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]
Masters of Classical Music (Box Set)

ASIN: B00008L428
Release Date: 2003-02-13

Average customer rating:

Excellent
The first transcription is awesome!

Bach Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Samuil Feinberg: Bach Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 4
Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2
Bach Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 5: Russian Transcriptions
Bach Piano Transcriptsions, Vol. 6: Walter Rummel
Demidenko Plays Bach-Busoni

ASIN: B00008OP2J
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV, 659
Largo
Fuga
Largo
Allegro Non Troppo
My Heart Ever Faithful
Brandenburg Concerto No.3 In G Major, BWV 1048: First Movement
Morning Song
Bouree
Sheep May Safely Graze
Gavotte (Rondeau)
Fugue In A Minor, BWV 865
Fugue In E Major, BWV 878
Siciliano
Blithe Bells
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-03-10

Some rare Bach transcriptions and works here. The entire CD is fabulous, my favourite the BWV 596 concerto (Murdoch transcription),a rarely performed work, which is breathtaking!

Definitely worth it.

The first transcription is awesome!.......2006-01-13

Just listen to the first transcription of the infamous Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV565 arranged by Percy Grainger because it's awesome! This recording is wonderful, Piers Lane's performance is stunning and the sound quality is simply perfect!

J.S. Bach: Orchestral Transcriptions by Stokowski

Average customer rating:

amazing

J.S. Bach: Orchestral Transcriptions by Stokowski

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Bach - Stokowski
Stokowski: Bach Orchestral Transcriptions

ASIN: B000000A8N
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

I. Toccata
II. Fugue
Adagio
Fugue In G Minor, BWV 578 'The Shorter'
Chorale
I. Passacaglia
II. Fugue
Komm Susser Tod, BWV 478
Chorale Prelude, BWV 680 'Wir Glauben All' An Einen Gott' ('Giant Fugue')

Customer Reviews:

amazing.......2001-06-07

I don't have this disc yet, nor have I heard all the tracks. All I have heard is the Toccata and Fugue in D minor in mp3 format, and let me tell you, even if everything else on that disc is drivel, that track alone is worth the cost of the CD and worthy of my 5 star rating. Simply an amazing interpretation of the work, great fidelity, just great! I can't wait to scrape the cash together and hear the rest of of this disc!

Last Night Of The Proms The 100th Season

Average customer rating:

Someone shoot that idiot with the popgun
POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE - RULE BRITANNIA
A Powerful Performance of Belshazzar's Feast

Last Night Of The Proms The 100th Season

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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The Ultimate Last Night of the Proms
Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms

ASIN: B000000SPX
Release Date: 1995-03-07

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D minor, BWV 565
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast
Marimba Spiritual
Mtation From Tha
Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 'Land Of Hope & Glory'
Fantasia On British Sea Songs
Rule Britannia!
Jerusalem

Customer Reviews:

Someone shoot that idiot with the popgun.......2002-06-07

It isn't easy to record the Last Night of the Proms.

An essential part of the experience is the audience participation - clapping in time to the Sailor's Hornpipe, bellowing out the chorus of Rule Britannia, the amazing sound of 7,000 people singing Parry's Jerusalem, even the occasional hoots, bangs and other interruptions (as long as they're occasional). It's important to capture this, otherwise all you get is a concert.

Unfortunately this recording seems biased towards the audience. The orchestral sound was muddy, but every pop, squeak, hoot from the audience was crystal clear. Towards the end I was hoping that someone would strangle the idiot with the popgun who was sitting to the right of the auditorium, and interrupting all the quieter passages.

Oh well - put it down to the acoustics of the Albert hall.

I still enjoyed the recording.

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE - RULE BRITANNIA.......2000-07-07

WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST ROUSING CHORAL VERSION OF THESE TWO WORKS EVER RECORDED. BRYN TERFEL'S RENDITION OF RULE BRITANNIA LITERALLY BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE WHILE THE ELGAR WILL BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES.

A Powerful Performance of Belshazzar's Feast.......2000-06-01

The performance made of Belshazzar's Feast at this Prom concert is the best I have heard. Having played in a performance of this work, I can attest to its difficulty, yet the BBC Symphony, Singers, Chorus, Bryn Terfel, and Andrew Davis make it sound effortless. The final moments of the work, as the chorus sings of the Israelites jubilation at the fall of Babylon, are some of the most astounding I've heard on a recording.

Average customer rating:

While a clavichord gently weeps

J.S. Bach: The Seven Toccatas
Johann Sebastian Bach , and Richard Troeger (performer)
Manufacturer: Lyrichord Discs Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Bach: Six Partitas / Richard Troeger
J.S. Bach: Inventions; Sinfonias; Little Preludes
Art of Fugue/Violin Transcriptions/Fantasias (Bach on Clavichord Vol. 4)
Bach: Masterworks for Clavichord

ASIN: B00004GOXJ
Release Date: 2000-03-28

Tracks:

The Seven Toccatas: G Major
The Seven Toccatas: D Minor
The Seven Toccatas: E Minor
The Seven Toccatas: D Major
The Seven Toccatas: F# Minor
The Seven Toccatas: G Minor
The Seven Toccatas: C Minor

Customer Reviews:

While a clavichord gently weeps.......2001-07-04

"August, 1717. Johann Sebastian Bach woke up late that night. He had insomnia, after tough disputes with duke Wilhelm Ernst von Weimer. He lighted up a candle without a noise, avoiding to disturb Maria Barbara and the four children. He put the slippers on, and sat by the clavichord, ten steps away from his sleeping bed. That was a place he loved the best, a place where he actually dreamed, whispered, confessed. He put his fingers on the slender keys and the most delicate of sounds filled the small chamber and thrilled the dark and silent Thuringian night. He did not need a might organ or a sparkling harpsichord to express his aching sentiments, his most intimate feelings. The clavichord was the closer voice of his soul. His fingers swept up and down. An adagio. A fugue. A toccata was being conceived. His genius triumphed by outpouring smoothly and passionately his celestial art. Maria Barbara and the children slept quietly, while a clavichord gently wept, that dark and silent Thuringian summer night."

This vignette underscores the place and specificity of the clavichord in Sebastian's time and, by extension, today. In the wake of the revival of period instruments, as a matter of fact the harpsichord reigned absolutely, for at last fifty years. Not without merit, specially considering the help of artists like Wanda Landowska, Ralph Kirkpatrick, Gustav Leonhardt, Kenneth Gilbert, to mention but a few. Nevertheless, this exclusivity is neither historically correct nor artistically fair. The clavichord had - and has - a place of its own in music making, with its very peculiar accent and character. The sentiment it transmits is quite unique. I agree: it is not suitable for large public performances like its wealthier brothers, the organ and the harpsichord. But it has an exact niche in music listening today. You must observe, however, the exact way to relish your session: take a very small room, silent, cozy, with the lowest volume of sound; you stay close to the speakers, low bass, median treble, no talking, no reading, no distractions. Just merge yourself with the delicacy of sound, the tiny vibrato, the clear phrasing and the sweet articulation of the instrument. A glass of Chardonnay is admitted. Minimalism all over. Transfiguration. Music at its purest and most magic moment.

Clavichord records used to appear only occasionally on the market - first on vinyl, now on CD - from the 70's to the 90's. I keep with love and affection some of these rare but fine examples: Colin Tilney's WTK first book, on Hyperion; Christopher Hogwood's Emmanuel Bach's sonatas (and a superb sonatina!) on L'oiseau Lyre; Gustav Leonhardt's assorted program, featuring Sebastian's 2nd French Suite, on Phillips. But now the door has opened wide and the whole Sebastian's keyboard oeuvre is becoming available on the clavichord thanks to the endeavor of Lyrichord Discs and Richard Troeger. And, that's important, with the highest artistic accomplishment these pieces are worth of. Richard Troeger is a sensitive performer, technically faultless, with a splendid ability to extract all the nuances and small secrets the clavichord has to offer the attentive listener. Lyrichord's engineers succeed in capturing the clearest of sounds, not to close and harsh, not to distant and evasive. The team - performer, producer, engineers - are building a landmark in music industry, that surely will help to rescue definitively the clavichord from oblivion.

Tracks:

Handel In The Strand
Bridal Lullaby
English Waltz
Mock Morris
To A Nordic Princess
In A Nutshell-Ste: I. Arrival Platform Humlet
In A Nutshell-Ste: II. Gay But Wistful
In A Nutshell-Ste: III. Pastoral
In A Nutshell-Ste: IV. 'The Gum-Suckers' March
Peace
Saxon Twi-Play
Andante Con Moto
Children's March
The Immovable Do
Sailor's Song
Colonial Song
Walking Tune
Harvest Hymn
In Dahomey

Tracks:

b flat Pno Con (Opening)
Cradle-Song
Love Walked In
Second Pno Con (3rd Movt)
Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part
Nimrod
Ramble On The Last Love-Duet
Chinese Melody-Beautiful Fresh Flower
Paraphrase On The Flower Waltz
Lullaby From 'Tribute To Foster'
American Song-The Rag-Time Girl
'Blithe Bells'
Fugue In a
The Man I Love

Tracks:

Country Gardens
The Merry King
Molly On The Shore
Irish Tune From County Derry
Knight And Shepard's Daughter
The Nightingale And The Two Sisters
Jutish Medley
Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol
The Rival Brothers
Near Woodstock Town
Will Ye Gang To The Hielands, Lizzie Lindsay
The Brisk Young Sailor
One More Day My John (Easy Version)
Rimmer And Goldcastle
Spoon River
The Widow's Party
The Hunter In His Career
My Robin Is To The Greenwood Gone
Died For Love
Scotch Strathspey
One More Day My John (Complex Version)
Bristol Town
Hard-Hearted Barb'ra Helen
Mo Ninghean Dhu
Lisbon (Dublin Bay)
Stalt Vesselil
O Gin I Were Where Gowrie Rins
Shepard's Hey

Tracks:

Four Irish Dances: I. A March-Jig
Four Irish Dances: II. A Slow Dance
Four Irish Dances: III. The Leprechaun's Dance
Four Irish Dances: IV. A Reel
Nell
Apres Un Reve
Pno Con, First Movt
Tiger-Tiger
Air And Dance
Hornpipe
Toccata And Fugue in d
Lullaby From 'Tribute To Foster' (Easy Grainger)
Angelus Ad Virginem
Klavierstuck in E
Eastern Intermezzo
The Bigelow March
Pno Con, First Movt
At Twilight
Klavierstuck in a
Klavierstuck in B Flat
Klavierstuck in D

Tracks:

Children's March: 'Over The Hills And Far Away'
Up-Country Song (Colonial Song)
English Dance
Ye Banks And Braes O' Bonnie Doon
'Spoon River'-American Folk Dance
Train Music
Zanzibar Boat-Song
Paganini Varations, No.12
Green Bushes-Passacaglia On An English Folksong
William Byrd's Air And Variations For The Virginals 'The Carman's Whistle'
'A Dance Rhapsody'
Girl Crazy: Embraceable You
The Warriors-Music To An Imaginary Ballet

Customer Reviews:

Every last note..........2006-06-14

A super budget 5 CD collection of all of Grainger's Piano music.
Every last note!
The shipping alone would be $17.00+ for the 5 individual Cds.
Englishman Martin Jones plays these as if he wrote them. He is thoroughly inside this music.
I think his best work to date.
He is joined on CD #5 by Richard Mcmahon and Phillip Martin. Where they rollick in various combos and trios on 1, 2 and 3 pianos. This is exhilerating. Especially on an truly uplifting version of Green Bushes.
The entire set is strongly idiomatic and given a clear, crisp, warm and spacious recording. FIRST CLASS sound.
There are too many highlights to single out, but the In A Nutshell Suite and Green Bushes are especially GOOD!
There is not a bad note or "vibe" on any of these CDs.
Highly recommended for Granger fans and fans of English Piano Music.

Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Earl Wild ~ The Art of the Transcription

Average customer rating:

Entertaining
Riveting
A true romantic.
Redemption of the Transcription

Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Earl Wild ~ The Art of the Transcription
Christoph Willibald Gluck , Jean-Philippe Rameau , Johann Sebastian Bach , Richard Wagner , Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov , Fritz Kreisler , Felix Mendelssohn , Gioachino Rossini , Fryderyk Chopin , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Adolf Schulz-Evler , Mily Balakirev , Henri Herz , Sigismond Thalberg , Leopold Godowsky , and Earl Wild
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Andre Previn: Great Pianists Of The 20th Century (Music Of Mozart, Poulenc, Shostakovich, Gershwin)
Mitsuko Uchida
Daniel Barenboim
Jorge Bolet 1

ASIN: B00000IIYU
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Melodie d'Orphee
Rigaudon
Elegie
Tambourin
Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Isoldens Tod
The Flight Of The Bumble-Bee
Liebesleid
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo
Grande Fantaisie On 'Semiramide'
Chants polonais: My Joys
Chants polonais: Spring
Chants polonais: The Maiden's Wish
Swan Lake: Pas de quatre

Tracks:

Arabesques On 'An der sch, blauen Donau'
Fantasy On 'A Life For The Tsar'
La Cenerentola: Variations On 'Non pita'
Fantasy On 'Don Pasquale', Op.67
Symphonic Metamorphosis On 'Krleben'
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 7 The Man I Love
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 1 I Got Rhythm
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 4 Embraceable You
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 6 Fascinatin' Rhythm
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 5 Somebody Loves Me
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 3 Liza
7 Virtuoso Etudes: 2 Oh, Lady Be Good

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining.......2007-01-23

A very interesting pianist, this. He's an entertainer as well as a serious musician and he plays entertaining pieces. He is also a first class composer of transcriptions. Some of his charming Gershwin transcriptions (for which he is rightly famous) are included on this CD.

Earl Wild has an interesting pedigree in pianistic terms, having studied (if only briefly) with one of Liszt's many pupils. Technically he is often excellent, but some pieces seem to fall more easily under his fingers than others. For example, on another CD he makes rather a meal of Liszt's Grande Galope Chromatique but on this CD he plays superbly the fiendishly difficult Rachmaninoff arrangement of Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo - a piece which never lets up in its demand for a deft touch, accuracy and speed. Whatismore, the Scherzo is recorded live, so no editing and barely a single wrong note or misplaced phrase. Bear in mind that Rachmaninoff himself is reputed to have had three takes at it before ending up with a recording he was satisfied with! Overall I don't think Wild has the same order of technical ability as Horowitz, Rachmaninoff, Rubinstein, Barere or Cziffra but he does demonstrate the vital ability to make certain pieces sound "right" in his hands. This certainly doesn't manifest itself in everything he plays, but more in the pieces where he seems to feel at home.

He has obviously put a lot of thought and work into some of these recordings and I would single out the Schubert-Tausig March, Rigaudon, the Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo, his Gershwin and Tschaikovsky transcriptions and the Blue Danube arabesques as particularly charming and well-performed. I doubt anyone could play his beautiful Embraceable You transcription as well as him. The 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody is also good - solidly played and with plenty of gypsy spirit, and he doesn't pull the piece about all over the place like most pianists do. And the Bumblebee isn't bad either. Also excellent is Gluck's Melodie d'Orphee. He plays this beautifully with exquisitely judged balance and tone. It's a shame some of the other pieces aren't quite as good - Isolde's Liebestod is off target, unfortunately.

I think Earl Wild was one of the great transcribers and it's a shame he didn't write a lot more transcriptions because each one is a beautiful addition to the piano literature. His short and sweet transcription of the Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake (which he plays on this CD) is a total masterpiece. He also dared to play entertaining pieces and to indulge in showmanship, and why not? Why should a concert be a dry lecture? Yes, he is one of the great pianists but not because he had a unique sound or technique - more because he was a great and daring performer and because he made a contribution to piano literature for which the world ought to be grateful.

Riveting.......2000-07-03

This is an incredible CD, marred only by audience coughing and the unnecessary, deafening applause at the end of most cuts, reminiscent of a sitcom laugh track (hence the 4 star rating instead of 5); otherwise, it would have been perfect. The excellent selection of music and Wild's virtuoso playing are both marvelous. I was particularly taken with the Bach fuge and the splendid Gershwin transcriptions. Don't miss this one!

A true romantic........2000-06-21

If you've never heard Earl Wild before, this is a good starting point for you. His technique is impeccable and his mastery of tone allows him to play the most intricate music in the clearest manner. I must admit this disc didn't grab my attention from the very beginning. I found many of these recordings to be an inconsequential jingle-jangle of notes with no true meaning. I still feel that way about the two Thalberg pieces. He may have been Liszt's worthy pianistic rival, but as a composer he comes nowhere close to the great Abbée. Here these pieces get as good a performance as they are likely to get. Also I think Moszkowski's arrangement of the D minor Prelude and Fugue is greatly inferior to Busoni's. I don't care for the way it's played here either. It's too rushed for my taste and it sounds too homophonic, I don't hear the counterpoint of the fugue. This, I believe, is the fault of the arranger and performer alike. The rest of the recordings are excellent. Schulz-Evler's Arabesques are brilliantly played although my favourite recording will always be Jorge Bolet's. Godowsky's transcriptions are so complex and crowded with melodic lines and sonorities that it will leave you gasping for breath. Their performance demands technical powers of the highest caliber. Without that the music will drown in notes. Earl Wild posesses precicely this technique, and in his hands these pieces sound spectacular. Henri Herz's variations may lack profundity but are charming nonetheless. The gems on this disc are Wild's "Virtuoso Etudes" after Gershwin. "Concert Etudes" would have been an even more appropriate title, for despite all the virtuosity, harmonic and melodic invention is the true protagonist. The mood ranges from witty to atmospheric and together with Wild's technique and beautiful tone these pieces create a wonderful unioun. Last but definently not least, I would like to mention the Glinka-Balakirev Fantasy. Here the art of transcription is at its peak and as before, Wild is in full command. Here especially is where his musical gifts shines the brightest. He has it all, perfect legato playing, beautiful singing tone and crystal clear pedaling. A flawless performance. Earl Wild is without doubt a member of the pianistic elite, an old school romantic. I for one think he would have deserved a second unit in the "Great Pianists" series.

Redemption of the Transcription.......2000-02-24

Be prepared: the first piece on this album weaves such a magical spell that you may be startled out of your chair by the applause at the end. The bulk of this collection is from a concert performance, and it was a humdinger. Wild not only displays his astonishing virtuosity, but demonstrates that many of these arrangements and transcriptions are valuable pieces of music in their own right. The Rameau becomes 20th-century neoclassicism through Godowsky and Wild. The Arabesques on the Blue Danube Waltzes becomes a more serious piece than the original ever was. And so on: the bottom line is it's an experience that you don't want to miss. The real gems of this collection, however, are not from the live recital: what I find myself going back to again and again are the Gershwin transcriptions by Wild himself. Breath-taking virtuosity, fascinating arrangements, a beautiful recorded sound, and some great tunes!

Average customer rating:

THE ONE
Bach just doesn't get any better
BACH IS UNSURPASSABLE
Historical recordings!
Same Experience - Different Continents

J.S. Bach: Organ Works / Helmut Walcha

Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Great Organ Works
Bach: WTC; Goldberg Variations
Organ Masters Before Bach
Bach: The Art of Fugue; Musical Offering

ASIN: B00000613W
Release Date: 1998-04-14

Tracks:

Toccata & Fuge d-moll BWV 565: Toccata
Toccata & Fuge d-moll BWV 565: Fuge
Triosonate Nr. 1 Es-dur BWV 525: I. Allegro
Triosonate Nr. 1 Es-dur BWV 525: II. Adagio
Triosonate Nr. 1 Es-dur BWV 525: III. Allegro
Choralpartita Sei gegrusset, Jesu gutig BWV 768
Praeludium & Fuge Es-dur BWV 552: Praeludium
Praeludium & Fuge Es-dur BWV 552: Fuge
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wo soll ich fliehen hin BWV 646
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten BWV 647
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Meine Seele erhebet der Herrn BWV 648
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Ach bleib' bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 649
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter BWV 650

Amazon.com

Helmut Walcha was the great German organist of the '50s and '60s. He recorded the more of less complete Bach organ works twice for DG, once in mono and then again in stereo. This sampler disc of both cycles (mostly in stereo) represents his sober but intensely musical style at its very best. Walcha was not one to draw attention to his physical infirmities, but the fact that he was blind really does seem to give some of his performances an extra spiritual dimension. His complete stereo cycle has been reissued, but not in the United States, so grab this while you can. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

THE ONE.......2007-06-04

If you're looking for the greatest Bach organ performance on disk - look no further - you've found it. These interpretations by the blind mystic, Helmut Walcha, are literally out-of-this-world, transcendent. His Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor maybe the premier tour de force solo on any instrument in classical music. Not to say there have not been other fantastic Bach organ recitals - Albert Schweitzer and E. Power Biggs were no wimps. But the exalted, otherworldly quality of Walcha's playing has, in my opinion, never been equalled, and evokes in the listener a feeling of the deepest reverence.

Bach just doesn't get any better.......2007-02-07

Walcha's playing is so inspired and insightful as to be almost unbelievable. His articulations are very "baroque" (way before the time the authentic performance train chugged out of its dusty railway yard), his choice of registration (given the complete set is recorded on only two organs) delightful. The one thing that amazes me is Mr. Walcha's ability to commit so much music to memory. If you think there's too much Bach on this set you don't know and only want the old favourites, think again. A highlight for me are the chorale preludes ... each one a gem and each one so intelligently observed. If I have any criticism it's that neither of the organs has a 32' stop. Yes, I can hear the authentics drawing breath, but even Bach remarked on the fact that the organ in Leipzig had a 32' stop and that he missed it on other organs.

BACH IS UNSURPASSABLE.......2006-06-19

This cd introduced me to some of Bach's amazing organ works. I used to believe organ music was not really worth hearing, HOW wrong was I! This cd contains some of Bach's finest music. First off in my opinion Bach is the pinnacle of pure art/architectural music. His constructions are beyond words, and represent the totality of musical beauty and perfectness of form.

This organ music can be monumental and powerful, and also sublime, peaceful and with a great sense of the individual. The organ is a truly marvelous instrument, capable of a singing quality and also capable of loud/strong orchestral-like sonority.

If you have never heard Bach's organ compositions or organ music in general GET THIS ALBUM.

Walcha's playing is superb, and one gets a sense that he really knows and loves the music.

LONG LIVE J.S. BACH!

Historical recordings!.......2004-08-25

Bach organ music luckily has some great performers : Karl Richter , Albert Schweitzer , Edward Power Briggs and Helmut Walcha .
The intense chromatism and the whole commitment of Walcha makes of his Tocatta and Fugue in D minor one of the most remarkable versions I have heard . After you listen it you can consider he was a true pupil of the Leizpig court . His sound is so fresh and idiomatic , but filled with conviction . He never will dissapoint you .
And forget his special condition. Walcha was a supreme master of Bach.

Same Experience - Different Continents.......2001-05-30

This is in response to the music fan from Saanichton, B.C., Canada: I was surprised to read about you having grown to love Helmut Walcha playing Bach by having listened to a boxed record set from your dad as a child. Same for me. My dad owned the DG/Archiv set of records. I grew up in th vicinity of Hamburg/Germany in the early 70s and was glued to the record player. Bach's organ works played by Helmut Walcha had an almost hypnotising effect on me and they still have to this day. The typical harmonial, almost mathematical variations of Bach's organ works in their sheer complexity are astounding to any new and seasoned listener. In my opinion, the organ works in this CD particularly illustrate why Bach was compared to the mathematician Godel and the famous artist Escher: "Godel, Escher, Bach : An Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas R. Hofstadter (Paperback - January 1999).

Average customer rating:

Powerful selections
Excellent

Bach Transcriptions for Piano

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 3
Bach-Busoni: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2
Bach Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 5: Russian Transcriptions
Samuil Feinberg: Bach Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 4
5 Versions of Bach's Passacaglia, BWV582

ASIN: B00004U2KX
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

Wir Danken Dir Gott, BWV 29: Ov
Son in f, BWV 1018: Adagio
Partita in d, BWV 1005: Chaconne
Toccata And Fugue in d, BWV 565
Passacaglia in c, BWV 582
Toccata And Fugue in d 'Dorian', BWV 538

Customer Reviews:

Powerful selections.......2007-01-14

Although there has always been some uproar about transcribing Bach's music, especially his keyboard music to piano, I see the Bach transcriptions as an eloquent homage to the old master. Arrangements and transcriptions have been made for over two hundred years and for the reason that Bach's music will always be effective on other mediums. Busoni and Godowsky were perhaps the greatest transcribers, with Liszt following closely behind. The piano is such a versatile instrument and can please both the Baroque enthusiasts and the Romantic lovers. Only the piano can imitate the fleeting polyphony and yet transform the music with sonorous beauty.

This disc contains a stellar, almost perfect, selection of Bach arrangements. The works featured here are not only played with profundity but also nobility and feeling, characteristics sometimes absent from the automaton pianists out there. Risto Lauriala applies both a fidelity to Bach and an understanding of the Romantic emphasis of these transcriptions. I think Lauriala's Romantic expressive power tends to take control, but this is not a bad thing. Bach's music is not harmed by this; it's instead taken to a new level.

Saint-Saens's arrangement of the overture of BWV 29 is given an excellent treatment with just the right balance between Baroque and Romantic flavoring. The piano colors the ecstatic polyphony quite well. I find this arrangement the safest of them all; it should please Bach and piano fans alike. Siloti's arrangement of the Adagio from BWV 1018 is a melancholy escapade into gorgeous continuous melodies. Lauriala plays with feeling and an unerring stream of contemplation. This is no robotic interpretation but one of human thought. Siloti's transcription of the Chaconne from BWV 1005 is, unfortunately, not as impressive as Busoni's masterful efforts. Musically, though, this music is one of Bach's most inspired creations and perhaps the best on this disc. This is a 16 minute epic work with glorious harmonic variations and endlessly sublime lines of music. Lauriala plays to the best of his ability, but the transcription is frankly inferior to Busoni.

I also prefer Busoni's transcription of the Toccata and Fugue BWV 565 over Reger's here. But Naxos is still to be commended for placing a lesser known arrangement in the spotlight. Don't get me wrong, Reger still makes great drama and technical splendor out of this work. The music is impossible to dislike, and Reger clarifies and carefully embellishes the fugal voices with skill. The two major triumphs of this disc are saved for last, however, with d'Albert's Passacaglia and Kabalevsky's Dorian arrangement. The Passacaglia in C minor is a colossal work of grandiose variations on an awesome bass line. d'Albert's transcription employs more daring than the previous arrangements. Bass doublings and rich harmonies lend to making this piece an imposing pianistic tour-de-force. The last transcription, though, is my favorite. Kabalevsky's efforts with the 'Dorian' Toccata and Fugue are simply monumental. The toccata has all the majesty of Bach and the rhythmic vigor of a wonderful toccata. But the Fugue, with one of those simple but ingenius subjects of Bach, is taken on a Romantically-infused ride that leaves me breathless after each trip. Lauriala showcases his reflective side in the exposition; d'Albert's arrangement is sufficient enough that one can hear the entrance of new voices. But once the fugue has plunged into more episodes and restatements, the main subject is augmented and given increasing organ sonority on the piano. Indeed, the piano takes the throne as the king of instruments here. I don't even think the organ can rival the depth of the piano's lower registers. This is an absolute gem in the Bach piano arrangements and the most unique transcription on this disc.

Bottom line: Bach is simply exalted through the piano. In these transcriptions, his music retains all the natural polyphony and yet it experiences a metamorphosis from the Romantic spirit that manages to express Bach's ideas as never before. Risto Lauriala's playing is distinguished for fusing Romantic passion with the intellectual complexity of Bach. If that wasn't enough, there are two masterpieces of transcriptions that beg my full endorsement: d'Albert's Passacaglia and Kabalevsky's 'Dorian.'

Excellent.......2002-06-04

This recording showcases some lesser-known transcriptions of Bach's works, which I feel should become more mainstream. The Siloti transcription of the Chaconne, for example, is sublime, and Reger's treatment of the Tocatta & Fugue in D minor is nothing short of amazing. There have been transcriptionists and arrangers throughout musical history, and it's time that more than just Stokowski and Busoni -- both with tendencies to let their ultra-romantic sensibilities overshadow Bach's Baroque writing -- that these others should be known, and heard. Naxos has once again provided the listening public with an affordable entrance to the more obscure facets of classical music. Bravo!

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