Interesting if not wholly successful instrumentation
Schubert aficionado | CA United States | 02/26/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"We can almost undoubtedly assume that Bach meant this work to be played on either harpsichord or organ, and while there is nothing wrong with arranging it to be performed by a chamber ensemble, there is the question of what instrumentation can best articulate the essence of the work. Even in Bach's time, the viol consort was antiquated, and likely the performance of his score by such then would have been as likely as a harpsichordist playing a nocturne of Chopin's in that composer's time. Is this beside the point? If our listening requirements do not include historical accuracy, yes. But if we seek a performance that can better uncover the full spirit of the music, I would suggest that is done by the keyboardist Gustav Leonhardt, or in the case of an ensemble, either in the fullbodied reading by the Julliard Quartet, or if we prefer our early music without vibrato, in the very finely articulated one by Keller Quartet. In either of these latter two, the interplay of voices achieved strikes the listener as a more appropriate conveyance of Bach's tremendously haunting and profound work."
Pleasing version for a consort of viols
Schubert aficionado | 09/19/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bach's last great work, "The Art of Fugue," is one of those pieces that I can't get enough of---I have versions for string quartet, harpsichord, orchestra, small orchestra, piano, and organ. Perhaps the "ultimate" recording I own, the one I'd take to a desert island, is Jordi Savall's small-orchestra version. The string quartet version is very enlightening; the counterpoint etc. is very clear. Ahh heck, I love 'em all; and I also love viol music (Byrd, Tye, Purcell, et al.) so I figured 'why not?' The overall sound of the viol version is mellow, and not too dramatic. What do you expect from viols anyway. This is an "Art of Fugue" for Sunday afternoon, know what I mean? So if you want only one (only one? come on!) "Art of Fugue," make it Savall or the Delme Quartet or Robert Hill or Kenneth Gilbert or Glenn Gould (on organ AND piano; his Fuga a 3 Soggetti is the summit of art). Enjoy!"
Wonderful interpretation, brilliant sonics.
R. Davis | California | 02/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fretwork is always good, and here they truly exceed expectations. The recording quality is wonderful. Highest recommendations."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1