Search - Bach, Sokolov :: Art of Fugue 1-17 / Partita in C Minor

Sublime Bach from the great Russian

05/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sokolov's reputation is growing rapidly thanks to several highly acclaimed concert tours of the US and Europe. He's not your average Russian virtuoso as his programming always betrays, and to my ears this disc shows.Sokolov gives us Bach playing which is much closer to the Gouldian style than that of his Russian colleagues such as Feinberg and Richter.The Art of the Fugue unfolds gently but with immense care taken over voicing, contrapuntal details and especially phrasing. Sokolov makes a rapt, serene sound and one is quicklu drawn into his lyrical and unforced account of each peice. Quickly though a sense of journey takes hold and only lets up at the end. The account of the 2nd partita ranks which with any Bach playing I can think of. At once this is big, bold, uncomprising Bach but played with such authority and convinction, every bar sounds fresh and declamatory. Sokolov binds together every movement into a greater whole adding tremendously to the overall inpact of his performance."