Search - Johann Sebastian Bach :: Ilya Gringolts Plays Bach

Seriously Disappointing

Xyp | Cincinnati, OH | 09/29/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I had to stop and say something about this recording, a real low spot from an otherwise talented young violinist. I own several Gringolts discs (his Paganini and Tchaikovsky readings are really satisfying, I thought) and I have been happy with all of them until this: it's absolutely dismal. I am an almost obessive fan of the Bach solo violin works, and I'm open to different interpretations (which incidentally is not what is going on here) from Grumiaux's regal attack to Hahn's more overtly emotional version, and I have enjoyed them all. Gringolts' reading is totally one dimensional, with what I felt was very little dynamic variance or attention to the nuances and subtlties brought out in the classic recordings of Grumiaux and Szeryng and more recently by Hahn and Fischer.



An example: listen to the opening Preludio from the 3rd Partita. The nervous and bouncing energy is mechanized to the point where it sounds like a finger warming exercise. Ilya is most certainly a more talented violinist than these recordings indicate- both the novice and experienced Bach listener can steer clear of this recording."

Fine Bach from violinist Ilya Gringolts

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 01/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a wonderful surprise! This is truly an exceptional recording of several of J. S. Bach's works for the solo violin in the capable hands of the young Russian violinist Ilya Gringolts. These are vibrant performances rich in technical precision, without sounding at all indulgent. In the liner notes, Gingolts expresses his admiration for great Bach interpreters such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Gustav Leonhardt; his playing seems more akin to their period instrument practice performances than any lush, Romantic interpretations of Bach's scores. Without question, Gringolts is yet another young Russian violinist with a promising career as an internationally acclaimed soloist. Without a doubt this is one of Deutsche Grammophon's best new releases from a young artist on the verge of a great career in classical music."

A unique interpretation on Bach

Hengli Li | Maryland, USA | 01/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This guy is bold enough to apply Baroque bowing and fingering on a modern violin in an attempt to bring out Bach/Baroque spirit. He plays too fast for most pieces, like "perpetual motion", thus not so enjoyable. (No wonder it disappointed some.) If you really want Baroque experience, try Rachel Podger on a real baroque violin with baroque bowing. For more pleasant modern (non-baroque) interpretation, try Hahn. For more common and modern presentation, you may want to stick with Milstein. But this disc has some value, and the recording effect is quite good. I have not heard his other recording, but given he can do both kinds of bowing, he must be good, and his unique playing deserves credit."