Beautiful, energetic, inspriring Bach!
Antonia Brentano | Leiden, The Netherlands | 12/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For my "keyboard-Bach" I usually turn to Glenn Gould or Martha Argerich ( J.S. Bach: Toccata, Partita, English Suite 2/ Martha Argerich).
Since Martha Argerich was a student of Friedrich Gulda, and spoke very highly of him, I was really curious about his playing of Bach. And I must say, I am really glad I discovered this CD. Compared to Gould and Argerich, his Bach is less extreme (more sensible...?) in tempi, but so full of life and rhythm. Compared to Gould, he uses more dynamics, in a very convincing way.
These are quite old recordings, but sound is very acceptable.
If you love Bach, and love his keyboard music, you should not be without this CD.
Buy it, enjoy!"
Learn to love Bach
Abel | Hong Kong | 01/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For most pianoforte students, Bach's repetoire is a 'must'; but not all piano students love Bach.
Friederich Gulda is one of those rare pianists who owns that ability to 're-live' Bach's music.
This recording essentially is about Gulda's two English Suites. However, there is also one very important recording in mono of the Toccata in a minor. Also, the Italian Concerto is a very interesting piece. Gulda's interpretations are entirely natural and highly musical. He does not tamper with the score in order to achieve originality as did some other so-called Bach specialists in the 20th century.
Very authentic Bach reading, and absolutely spell-binding performances. If you do not hiterto love Bach's keyboard works, begin with Gulda's Bach. You will find immediate affinity with music in the universal sense, be it classic or modern.
The disc rounds off with a prelude and fugue by Gulda in the style of Bach, and crowns off a most interestingly novel yet authentic album."
