Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Emerson String Quartet :: Bach: The Art of Fugue

IN A WORD: "SMOOTH"

NotATameLion | Michigan | 07/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If one word could sum up this performance it would be "smooth." I have come late to the recordings of the Emerson String Quartet. This has to be among this very worthwhile group's best.The Art of the Fugue is, if not my favorite piece by Bach, then certainly high on the short-list. This is music fully realized--with an almost mystic greatness. Les Violins du Roy and the Delme Quartet (in Robert Simpson's arrangement) have both done great chamber versions of the work.This recording by the Emerson Quartet is well at ease in such lofty company.This recording lets the music speak for itself. It does so brilliantly. The crystal clear sound quality works hand in hand with the performance.Everything here is evenhanded and well judged. This is pulled off without any loss of the music's passion, fire, or insight. I cannot recommend this version of Bach's last great work highly enough.If you are considering getting a copy, do not hesitate."

The Art of Perfection

philvscott | Marrickville, New South Wales Australia | 12/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bach's ultimate composition has so often been described as cerebral that it's inclined to put a casual listener off. Much as I admire Charles Rosen's piano recording, for example, I find it's not uncommon for the mind to wander off somewhere around the halfway mark. Perhaps it's the strings' ability to project a lyrical line, but I find the Emerson Quartet gripping from beginning to premature end, and after living with this CD for a while, the work makes more sense to me. The Art of Fugue is a monumental piece of art: like a great sculpture, it simply exists, and as a listener you may bring to it as much or as little as you like without affecting its integrity. Unlike, say, a Mahler symphony, it does not demand complete emotional commitment (except from the performers, which it definitely gets here)- and yet, when the music just stops mid-stream at the point where Bach supposedly died, the shock is greater than any number of Mahlerian hammer blows.

Beautifully recorded, sensitively played and, to descend to earth for a moment, I notice it's also discounted. Perfect."

Sublime Stuff from the Emerson String Quartet

A. Craig | Grand Junction,CO | 07/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have yet another wonderful recording from the EmersonString Quartet. This time they bring their unique performing feel to the music of J.S. Bach in one of his final expressionsof music "The Art of Fugue". Most performances of this work havewhat can only be described as a totally intellectual feel to them, this recording is quite different in the fact that theEmersons bring a feeling of humanity to the work. The final pieceperformed as a close to the work is the Chorale "Before Thythrone do I come now." BWV 668a is one of Bach's final thoughtsIt is a fitting close to this work, which is a fitting close to Bach's musical life. The recording done by Deutsche Grammaphonis warm, intimate, yet with just enough feel of the room to keepit from sounding "boxy" Hearing this work in a chamber settinghelps the listener follow the various paths and trails that Bachput together to show us his little garden or park where we canimagine following him around as he shows us the way. Bach's musiccan be quite an adventure of exploration, The Art of Fugue is hismap to perhaps what has been called "The Undiscovered Country".I suggest getting this CD and making the journey with him as often as possible. Is this recording the last word on the subject? No, but it is one of the finest ones to come along in along time. Highly recommended."