Search - Johann Sebastian Bach :: Bach: The Six Trio Sonatas

Organ standards wonderfully played on pedal harpsichord.

07/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe this is the first CD release of any of the series of wonderful albums E. Power Biggs did back in the 1960s: recordings of various J.S. Bach organ standards played on the pedal harpsichord. (Bach kept a pedal harpsichord at home for organ practice when he didn't want to go down to the church.) While the pedal harpsichord lacks the sheer power of the organ, it articulates the complex voices of Bach's music much better. Listen to a piece on the pedal harpsichord, and when you return to the organ version, your understanding and appreciation will be greatly enhanced. Biggs does a fantastic job here on Bach's trio sonatas. Now if Sony would only release the rest of those albums as well! Biggs's pedal harpsichord versions of BWV 565 and 582 are a revelation."

Incredible organ technique brings Bach Trio Sonatas to life

cmpst52 | 10/09/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bach Trio Sonatas are among the clearest, yet most complex organ works. While many musicians have played them, including such accomplished artists as Virgil Fox, it takes the quick, light, and almost playful technique of E. Power Biggs to bring them to life.Nowhere will you find a better rendition of these works; I doubt that Bach himself could have played them better. Mr. Biggs' understanding of every nuance is unquestioned. The result is a masterpiece, a blend of ancient music, and modern artist, on an instrument that can only be described as magical.The Bach Trio Sonatas might make excellent dinner music, but do yourself a favor: play them in a quiet house, kick the dog out for a walk *before* you start listening, and then crank up the volume just a little bit. Be sure to let the dog back in before you start this CD - you won't want to get up to open the door.The only unfortunate aspect of this CD is that Sony hasn't released all of Mr. Biggs works, so this CD, and the rest of his art, comes to an end much too soon.John Drabik"

My second-favorite CD

cmpst52 | Denton, NC United States | 02/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After E. Power Biggs' recording of the Tocatta and Preludes and fugues, this is my favorite CD.Biggs' playing is flawless and wonderful, and the instrument excellent. The precision of the harpsichord makes an excellent version of these works; on the organ, the subtleties are often lost in the instrument's power.This CD is the best recording of the trio sonatas around, and one of the best recordings -- period."