Johann Sebastian Bach Bob Van Asperen - Bach Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord Vol 1 (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

An excellent recording

mythologue | 01/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of J.S. Bach's duo sonatas are not very well-known, but they often rank among his most fascinating works, as this strong Naxos release testifies. That this music is rarely virtuosistic does not mean that it's easy to pull off well: I have heard interpretations of these works which were somewhat problematic, the two performers not blending their playing in such a way that best benifited the music. This recording is another matter, though: Lucy van Dael and Bob van Asperen are both excellent. Van Dael is especially adept with the long, sustained notes in the slower movements, giving these powerful sections pure mystical beauty; during the faster movements, both players have a perfect chemistry and complete each other well. Sound-wise, nothing can be said against this recording - I've rarely heard an harpsichord sound as good as van Asperen's does on this disc, the instrument sounding both precise and full. This disc - and the second volume of the keyboard/violin sonatas - should be added to every classical music collection."

A "Regular People" Review

Konstantin | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, I'm a sucker for a good Harpsichord piece, I also play a little Violin, so I'm naturally disposed to this type of music. In General I would say that Baroque Music does not create a lot of exitement in the neophyte classical music fan. That said, give this piece a try by checking out the previews, if you like what you hear, like I do, give this a try (its a great value)....and keep me updated!"

Bienvenue mr. Bach...

Ron Roy | Canada | 07/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Ce disque abordable est si réussi, que l'on

se demande bien ce qu'une version plus dispendieuse

pourrait apporter de plus. Essayez et vous verrez."

It's Not So Easy ...

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 03/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... to perform these six sonatas with the perfection that recording requires. Not because they are extraordinarily demanding in terms of virtuosity, but rather because they require the utmost sensitivity and unity of ensemble. There is no recording on the market that satisfies me completely. Sometimes either the harpsichordist or the violinist is obviously not equal to his/her partner in musicianship; that's the case with the duo of Pieter-Jan Belder and Luis Otavio Santos, included in the Complete Bach Box. Mr Santos isn't adequate. Other times, the two players seem unaware of each other, fixated on their own scores; that's the case with the performance by Trevor Pinnock and Rachel Podger. One almost suspects that they were playing in different rooms, with headsets on.

This performance, on two separate CDs, by violinist Lucy van Dael and harpsichordist Bob van Asperen, is not a match-up of equal players. The best thing about van Dael's fiddling is her marvelously mellow tone, but she is not infallible in pitch and she does drop notes here and there. Van Asperen is sublime. His harpsichord sounds less like a machine and more like a miraculously dexterous harp -- almost a vocal fluidity -- than any other harpsichordist in the field. What makes this lopsided duo far better than others is the ensemble, the sense that the two musicians are playing into each other's parts, that they're reading from the same score. I suspect it's mostly van Asperen's supportive and attentive playing that carries van Dael. Nonetheless, that musical togetherness is the heart and soul of this music, and worth all other virtues combined."

Awesome!

Sanja Kostic | mirro | 03/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit, I was captured by this performance. Album starts with deep pathetic figure in keyboard. After a couple of measures it is coated with a sustained opening note on violin, just to shape intriguing Adagio. Soon after they arive to Allegro, I realize that this musicians are really a "harmony" match. The third sonata opening Adagio is an indulging phantasm highly esteemed in times of baroque arias. Here Lucy van Dael flourishes with special long notes, I never come across anything alike, underlined with sustain support of cembalo. Beautiful! Movements that follow slow-fast-slow, are just the plots for one memorable performance.

Both musicians play on baroque instruments using a forgotten techniques. This is beyond the dreams for many. Keith Anderson, in intro-booklet, gives a brilliant, brief review of each sonata and make it easy to follow for everyone. The whole packet is unique and of immense value for serious musician as it is for amateur like me. Bravo!

Mirro

"

Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Bob Van Asperen :: Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, Vol. 1

CD Details

CD Reviews

	Johann Sebastian Bach, Bob Van Asperen Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, Vol. 1 Genre: Classical Track Listings (16) - Disc #1 Adagio Allegro Andante Allegro Dolce Allegro Andante Un Poco Presto Adagio Allegro Adagio Ma Non Tanto Allegro Largo Allegro Adagio Allegro
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