Search - Johann Sebastian Bach :: Bach: French Suites BWV 812-817

IN RESPONSE

J. Lambie | LA, CA | 11/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just got through reading the "sphaerenklang" review that appears here and felt compelled to respond.



First, I'm always and immediately suspicious of folks who hold forth on "Baroque style and interpretation". The recordings from the period are of abysmal quality and all the 275 year-olds I've met have severe memory problems. (And are Baroque techniques even relevant to the pianoforte, one of my top choices for proof of intelligent design in the universe? We all know how well the harpsichord responds to subtle variations in touch. That's why it's such a popular instrument today.) Of course "sphaerenklang" could be the pseudonym for a lost and extremely aged Bach progeny. There were a passle of 'em. In which case we'd have to take his assertions of what Bach expected of his interpreters at face value. Or perhaps his Ouija board has contacted the Maestro and klang is privy to Bach's personal notion of musical common sense. In my experience though, most folks version of "common sense" is things they, coincidentally, happen to agree with.



Second, I'm trying to reconcile klang's description of Gavrilov's performance with what I hear when I play my CDs. Check out the EMI version listed above. (The performance is the same. I own both. I bought the DG thinking it was different. S'not. And the EMI comes with nifty versions of the English Suite #5 and Italian Concerto played by Stanislaus Bunin.) There are audio samples. Judge for yourself. Personally, I prefer Gavrilov's French Suites to those of Gould, Aldwell, Hewitt or Schiff which are also in my collection. But that's just me. It's entirely possible that either klang or I has his head wedged in a dark place that impairs ones' listening ability. Again, you judge.



Third, do you really want to take advice from someone who wants to remain anonymous? If so, I've got a 16 year old SUV with 200,000 plus miles on it. Pristine condition. Reeeeeally easy on gas. Priced to move. Be perfect for you."