Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrei Gavrilov, Stanislav Bunin :: Bach: French Suites Nos. 1-6; English Suite No. 3; Italian Concerto

Not necessarily for purists

jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 07/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When one thinks of Bach on the modern keyboard Andrei Gavrilov's name is not necessarily the first that comes to mind, yet this 1984 recording of the French Suites is as varied & exciting as they come. Gavrilov, who is an outstanding technician, probably drives Bach purists crazy with his bravura approach, but I, who am typically irritated by pianists who are focused on display, found him completely convincing. For sure, Gavrilov maximizes the opportunities offered by the concluding gigues, which are played with tremendous structural authority & in some cases, displays of raw power. But the music can take it. The contrasting slow movements are played in a languid way, but without sentimentalism, even though every now & then one senses things dragging just a little bit (e.g., the Sarabande of the Sixth Suite). Some may think the whole package is inconsistent, if not slightly eccentric, but I loved it.



The third of Bach's English Suites & the Italian Concerto, both performed by Stanislav Bunin, fill out this set. These are very energetically played, but should lead listeners to other pastures (Hewitt for the complete English Suites & Evgeny Koroliov's awesome Bach recital which includes the French Overture, Italian Concerto etc).



Recommended for those who are willing to take a chance on iconoclastic Bach."

Gavrilov plays J.S. Bach with more human warmth than many ot

dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 09/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love harpsichords or if you love clean, percussive Bach style, then a more emotional treatment of the French Suites would not be your cup of tea. However, when I say Gavrilov is Romantic, I mean it in the best sense. He is not lackadaisical and emotionally sterile like Andras Schiff. Gavrilov's understanding of this music comes from within. In particular the slow movements of the various suites are played with heavenly repose, not detachment.



If you're inclined to feel Bach's music a bit more than you usually do with Gould ( an altogether different interpreter ), I think Andrei Gavrilov would make a fine alternative. The third English Suite and the Italian Concerto are played by Stanislav Bunin, adding to the value of this wonderful package, especially at this ridiculously low price in the EMI Gemini series."

I'm not a musicologist, but this is my favorite Bach

Brian Clever | Oswego, IL USA | 12/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Until Perahia, Bunin or Koriolov come out with recordings of the French Suites

Gavrilov's will remain my preference for these works. I don't know

what "romantic Bach" or "iconoclastic Bach" means, but I do know that

this is the style of Bach that appeals most to me: energetic, crisp

and slightly romanticized.



I would also like to give more than a nod to Bunin's contribution to

this disc. His English suite No. 3 is pure magic, like no other Bach

I've ever heard. The Italian Concerto here is so energetic. I listened

to it 10 times the night I pulled this disc from my mailbox. Simply

incredible.

"