Search - J.S. Bach, Fernando Valenti :: JS Bach: Harpsichord Toccatas

J.S. Bach, Fernando Valenti
JS Bach: Harpsichord Toccatas
Genres: New Age, Classical

Track Listings (6) - Disc #1
1. Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 903 - 12:30
2. Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911 - 11:24
3. Toccata in D Major, BWV 912 - 13:06
4. Toccata in D Minor, BWV 913 - 15:48
5. Toccata in E Minor, BWV 914 - 8:08
6. Praeludium, Fugue & Allegro in E-Flat Major, BWV 998 - 12:16

CD Details

All Artists: J.S. Bach, Fernando Valenti
Title: JS Bach: Harpsichord Toccatas
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Lyrichord Discs Inc.
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 6/17/2008
Genres: New Age, Classical
Styles: Instrumental, Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Fantasies, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Classical (c.1770-1830), Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 744457806227

Synopsis

Product Description

Time Magazine called Fernando Valenti 'The finest harpsichordist in the world'. After studying with keyboard giants Jose Iturbi and Ralph Kirkpatrick he held his first recital in 1950, and the rest of his is forty-year career is music history. This is a landmark historic reissue; Valenti's Bach Toccatas rank among this master's greatest performances ever committed to tape. Not available since the 1950's, these original Lyrichord recordings reside alongside Valenti's legendary Westminster Scarlatti recordings, as examples of a rare and brilliant keyboard genius, the likes of whom are seldom seen in any age. New A to D transfers allow Valenti's Bach to shine anew in the digital domain.

CD Reviews

Perfect Phrasing

Charles Merritt | Acworth, GA USA | 11/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is clear, with no tape hiss, despite its being recorded in 1951/52. The instrument is possibly the same one used on 1963's "Bach for Harpsichord" (Columbia MS-6516 - never on CD and probably never will be), which shares three common pieces with this older record. The harpsichord's make is not listed, but it's a large one, probably registering at least 1 x 4', 2 X 8', 1 X 16'. Valenti is not afraid to use the 16-foot stop.

Valenti's playing of these pieces could be a standard in comparing others. He is the "Vladimir Ashkenazy" of the harpsichord because his performance is so straightforward, yet never dull, with phrasing that's perfect and free from idiosyncrasies. He's not pre-occupied with speed, and the slower parts of the toccatas are very expressive. I'd like to see other recordings of his released on CD."