Schiff + Bach + ECM
Douglas Weaver | Ypsilanti, MI USA | 10/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This performance is spontaneous, joyous, cleanly articulated, but with enough ambient resonance to warm the tone. I don't think anyone records piano as well as ECM. And Andras Schiff--his first recording was so good it seemed redundant to record the partitas again, but I'm delighted he did. His phrasing highlights the structure of these works with a light touch, and he's found a rightness of tempo--especially as one movement relates to those before and after it. I tend to prefer historical instruments in baroque music, but Schiff succeeds in making the partitas utterly convincing on the piano. Too often, the ornaments that are tossed off effortlessly on a harpichord become feats of athleticism on the piano, but the trills, mordents and grace notes here succeed in embellishing the musical line without hi-jacking it.
The notes state that this is a live recording, but you would never know it. It's note-perfect and there's not a peep from the audience. It's like stumbling upon a splendid acoustic space where a master pianist is playing for no-one but himself."
Lively, joyous, totally musical Partitas.
A. F. S. Mui | HK | 11/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have heard other eminent pianists play these famous keyboard works by Bach.
Some simply bored me stiff.
Andras Schiff's Partitas, however, virtually fly out from the keyboard. So rhythmic, so lively, so crystal clear, and accoustically so outstanding.
I've heard these works played (though not necessarily in full set) by many other Bach specialists. I don't think Andras Schiff counts himself as one such, but without a single doubt, his reprise on ECM on this set of Bach Partitas rightfully sets him up as one of the most eminent Bach specialists of all times. His is the right temperament, fully nuanced, brilliantly articulated, and with full alertness to style and content.
We do not need any 'period' instrument to high light the style in the case of such eminent interpretation. (I guess Schiff played them on a Borsendorfer).
Well, if Schiff had earlier releases of Bach, his recent reprises certainly call for full attention from the musical world - they are nothing less than greatness itself!"
Exhilarating Bach!
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/27/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"András Schiff has one of the finest reputations for performing Bach on the piano keyboard of any pianist today. Listening to the 2 CDs recorded immaculately from a live performance with the finesse we have come to expect from ECM is still an incredible experience, no matter how well the listener knows Schiff's way with Bach. These partitas are so carefully considered and executed that they seem like a series of connected thoughts or reveries in Schiff's mind and hands.
'Partitas' simply means pieces for a solo instrument and by that definition there are no hard and fast rules about how they should be constructed (partitas gave way to the more 'academically correct' sonata, works again for solo instrument but that follow a constructed scheme of composition). Schiff's approach is one of respect of the many lines of invention that weave through the embellished core theme: his way with ornamentation is so assured and accurately executed that they truly to embroider the melodic lines and counter lines. How he is able to hold our attention through all six of these impossible difficult works is nothing short of amazing: the fact that they were recording during one performance almost defies credibility.
In a time when contemporary composers are gallantly pushing all the borders of classical music to expand our concept of music in strange and wonderful new realms, it is refreshing to return to the crystalline clarity of Bach's music as an infusion of the basics in tonality, and who to better remind us of how magnificent these works are than András Schiff! This is a 'classic' performance that will surely remain a gold standard for many years. Grady Harp, July 10"
