Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052: Allegro
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052: Adagio
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052: Allegro
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053: Allegro
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053: Siciliano
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053: Allegro
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055: Allegro
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055: Larghetto
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055: Allegro ma non tanto
This disc may not prove as indispensable as Perahia's splendid Goldberg Variations. The most trivial reason is that it doesn't have as much music on it (only 53:04). But the appeal may also be not as wide. The Goldberg per... more »formance encompasses as wide a range of expression as the music does--which is really saying something! This concerto disc is more uniform in style, thoroughly modern and generally rather hard-driving. Perhaps the tension was generated by the interplay of pianist-conductor and orchestra, but it's palpable throughout. This does keep your attention riveted on the music, although it leaves some aspects of Bach unexpressed. If you're willing to go along for the ride, though, the disc does have a lot to offer. Perahia's execution is superb, and he decorates the text with his own trills and embellishments in a very convincing way. The orchestra keeps things moving right along. This may be a somewhat one-sided approach to Bach, but it certainly is stimulating. --Leslie Gerber« less
This disc may not prove as indispensable as Perahia's splendid Goldberg Variations. The most trivial reason is that it doesn't have as much music on it (only 53:04). But the appeal may also be not as wide. The Goldberg performance encompasses as wide a range of expression as the music does--which is really saying something! This concerto disc is more uniform in style, thoroughly modern and generally rather hard-driving. Perhaps the tension was generated by the interplay of pianist-conductor and orchestra, but it's palpable throughout. This does keep your attention riveted on the music, although it leaves some aspects of Bach unexpressed. If you're willing to go along for the ride, though, the disc does have a lot to offer. Perahia's execution is superb, and he decorates the text with his own trills and embellishments in a very convincing way. The orchestra keeps things moving right along. This may be a somewhat one-sided approach to Bach, but it certainly is stimulating. --Leslie Gerber
Lee B. (showme) from PARK HILLS, MO Reviewed on 1/17/2010...
Fantastic
CD Reviews
More elegant Bach from Perahia
Thomas J Wood | 03/26/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was bowled over by Murray Perahia's recent recording of the Goldberg Variations. His consistently elegant playing and phenomenal attention to detail vividly traced the myriad textures in Bach's amazingly varied variations.Thus, I had high hopes for Perahia's go at Bach's keyboard concerti, which were only partially fulfilled. Perahia's playing is still strikingly elegant and tasteful, and the delicate and nuanced accompaniment by the Academy of St.-Martins-in-the-Fields perfectly suits his approach. But these concerti are more extrovert and "public" works than Bach's solo pieces and require more bite and projecton. At times, the playing here crosses the line into prettiness -- and Bach should never be merely "pretty."Still, these are sensitive and artistically refined performances, and deserve to be heard. A couple of further complaints: as a nod toward "authenticity" a theorbo is added to the continuo line. Except for an occasional twang, the instrument is inaudible and should simply have been dispensed with. Also, we're given only three concerti on the 53-minute disk; there would have been plenty of room for a fourth."
Had to have it after hearing it live!
Jackson Boyett | Austin, TX USA | 03/23/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Murray Perahia and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields performed Bach's Keyboard Concerto no. 1 here in Austin, and I was absolutely spellbound! I own and love the classic recordings of it by Wanda Landowska and Glenn Gould and considered them more than sufficient for a music library. But when I heard Perahia and the Academy give their riveting rendition of this piece, I had to have this CD. Sure, it's a romantic approach, and the purists will howl, but it is gripping, exciting, communicative MUSIC in the hands of these performers. Perahia as a pianist is without equal, but he will begin to gain new stature as a conductor with this CD. Like the great Sir Thomas Beecham, he understands what is going on in the music he conducts, and conveys it with elegance, passion, and power."
Sparkling Wit
Craig Matteson | Ann Arbor, MI | 07/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of course Perhaia is a great pianist and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is a great ensemble. But here I believe we get more than just the sum of the two. I was fortunate to hear a concert of Perhaia and St. Martin in the Fields here in Ann Arbor and they performed the first of these concertos. I have to tell you that the piece is so full of wit and fun that I chuckled out loud (softly). You know that you have great musicians performing when they have so much command and understanding of what they are playing that they are willing to tell the musical jokes (witty jokes) with subtlety and grace. This is wonderful stuff. The playing is tight, with the players listening to each other in ways that are too often ignored in larger ensemble pieces. Imitations and joint phrases are actually pulled off like they are in a string quartet. Yes, the Academy is a smaller orchestra that usually performs without a conductor so they are used to ensemble playing. This is just proof that they have accomplished what they set out to do. An chamber orchestra that plays as if it were a single musical instrument with almost endless musical colors and capabilities.The other two concertos are just as great and fun as the first. There is also a companion disk with 3,5,6, and 7. So, there is even more to enjoy!"
Another stunning Perahia/Bach disc
Jackson Boyett | 05/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the worlds greatest pianists and togheter with Academy of St. Martin in the fields and good sound-engineering this keybord concertos sounds lively, fresh, lyrical and it comes without any ego-mannerism.Perahia shows on this disc(and his other Bach discs) why he has won grammys, been nominated a couple of times too and more imprtent than a grammy, musically speaking :-) get last years Grammophone award for best instrumental album. My only complain about this SET/DISC (not about the music) is that it could been more filled up (it is a bit short only ca 53-54 minutes) otherwise music, performance, sound is stunning.This one with Perahia et al he played conertos by modern Steinway piano instrument and my choise for harpsichord/clavecin, having concerto no. 1, BMW 1052 on it, is Pirre Hantai and le concert francais on record company Astrée/naive 1994 (remastred 2001 -excellent sound). Hantais superb versions also contains BMW 1054 from Perahia Bach keybord concertos including no.3, no.5-7.On this well performed disc Sony engineers could have tuned up that theorbo (bass lute) a little more and not put it so much in the background but it is a minor because othervise it is a very well engineered disc.Highest recomendation. In my opinion Perahia is a more lyrical choise about this music than any other."
Fun stuff
P. Ermisch | Parker, CO USA | 10/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't heard Perahia's other Bach recording but will now need to check them out. I am a Bach fanatic and own multiple recordings of the same works and so was not expecting much from this when I received it as a gift. However, from the opening measures of track 1, I was amazed at the pure joy and beauty with which Perahia and the Academy perform. To the purists I say that Bach is a master because his work withstands so many different interpretations. As far as recording quality, I would prefer more presence from the orchestra but after all these are piano concertos.I'll take the other reviewer's advice and listen to Schiff as well as I've preferred some of his Mozart over Perahia in the past."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
Lee B. (showme) from PARK HILLS, MO