Alternative Movements, BWV 1019a : Cantabile, Ma Un Poco Adagio
Alternative Movements, BWV 1019a : Adagio
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1020 : -
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1020 : Adagio
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1020 : Allegro
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Adagio
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Vivace
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Largo
Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1021 : Presto
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : -
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : Allegro E Presto
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : Adagio
Sonata In F, BWV 1022 : Presto
Sonata In E Minor, BWV 1023 : Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Sonata In E Minor, BWV 1023 : Allemande
Sonata In E Minor, BWV 1023 : Gigue
As in his set of Bach's unaccompanied violin music, Arthur Grumiaux plays this music with effortless mastery and a fine sense of Baroque style. You can count on this great musician to avoid letting any mannerisms or inap... more »propriate romanticism intrude on the music, leaving you with pure Bach played with great refinement. The programming here is comprehensive, including alternate movements and a questionable work or two. Christiane Jaccottet makes her presence felt as an equal , and the recording still sounds excellent. It's hard to find better performances at any price, so as a "twofer" this is a great bargain. --Leslie Gerber« less
As in his set of Bach's unaccompanied violin music, Arthur Grumiaux plays this music with effortless mastery and a fine sense of Baroque style. You can count on this great musician to avoid letting any mannerisms or inappropriate romanticism intrude on the music, leaving you with pure Bach played with great refinement. The programming here is comprehensive, including alternate movements and a questionable work or two. Christiane Jaccottet makes her presence felt as an equal , and the recording still sounds excellent. It's hard to find better performances at any price, so as a "twofer" this is a great bargain. --Leslie Gerber
"First, I should say that I am partial to the recording of these same Bach sonatas by Glenn Gould-piano, Jamie Laredo-violin and Leonard Rose-cello. However, that said, I also thoroughly enjoyed the Philips recording with Jaccottet-harpsichord, Mermoud-cello and Grumiaux-violin. While my personal bias is that I find Gould to be the interpreter of Bach's "soul", nonpareil, the recording with Grumiaux et al offers one of the best presentations of the sound of the "period". And, at the price for 2CDs, it's hard to beat."
Purity in quality, sound and execution
Maki Leonard | San Francisco, CA United States | 04/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Grumiaux is one of the greatest violinists from the Old School of Senofsky and others who emphasized not only clarity of technique but also passion of musical opinion. I can't say enough good things about this CD. Grumiaux captures traditional Bach with power and ownership. You can tell that each piece has his "Grumiaux thumbprint." Unliked his other recordings such as the piano trios, this CD has a strong, pure sound and sustains its clarity even when a car stereo is blasting on its highest volume. The purity touches all ages, from my toddler to advanced violin students to even carpoolers never exposed to Bach partitas. This CD also makes a great gift for young kids to adults, to your friends who are music experts. Another must-have that you shouldn't just burn from a friend."
Simple, not simplistic
David A. Baer | Indianapolis, IN USA | 02/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
The musical genius of Bach can be savored in any number of configurations. But you'd be hard pressed to find Bach speaking more exquisitely than via these compositions for violin and keyboard.
From here you cannot even see the outline of the Romantic Period. Rather, the pure, intertwined Baroque simplicity of two instruments instructs the soul that simple does not mean simplistic. Simple can be intricate, fugal, agile, or reflective.
Each of these modes is a format in which Bach and these two interpreters excel.
Then comes Philips with its fabulous 'Duo' series to make it all oh, so affordable.
Simple. Beautiful. Bach."
Borderline
Ross Kennett | Narooma, NSW Australia | 01/24/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"These CDs are a re-release of recordings made in 1978-80 by the great Arthur Grumiaux,i.e. they were made just prior to the time it became generally accepted that Baroque music should be played in a Baroque style. This makes it a bit difficult to write a review now, as a recording made in the style of the 60s, it is very good, as a " baroque" interpretation, well it isn't one. It is very easy to listen to, and I don't mind too much that there is lots of vibrato, but I don't like the way that it is played as violin sonatas with harpsichord accompaniment, as the main works, BWV 1041 to 1019, are realy trios with the harpsichord's right hand playing the second melody, and its left the bass line. So as a 1978 recording it give it 4. If you are looking for a recording in the baroque style try the version by van Dael & van Asperan on Naxos."