Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Richard Troeger (performer) :: Bach: Six Partitas / Richard Troeger

An absolute "must-have"

07/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Throw away your desert island CD list. Should you ever find yourself marooned, these are the only disks you'll need.There are scant few worthwhile recordings made on this wonderful instrument (Bach's favorite), and with good reason. There are pitfalls aplenty in store for the would-be recording artist bent on rendering something wonderful on the clavichord. In some cases, the player simply isn't up to the task either technically or expressively (a keyboard is a keyboard isn't it? If one can play piano or harpsichord convincingly, surely the clavichord can pose no real challenge! Guess again.). In other cases, the instrument is the culprit. Naive construction or upkeep can render a clavichord virtually unplayable, or at least unlistenable. Lastly, the instrument is unrelentingly difficult to record.Troeger transcends all of these in a manner I've simply never heard before. The tone is sweet and lyrical, the technique absolutely perfect, the interpretations solid, valid and refreshing. Before hearing his clavichord artistry, I had a regrettable tendency to dismiss the instrument as a baroque novelty. He has changed all that for good. His technique and sensitivity are simply not easily believed. Most of the credit clearly belongs to him, but a good deal must also go to the builder (the great Ron Haas) of this very fine clavichord. The recording engineer and producer also worthy of mention. All know what they're doing.This is a "must have" for anyone looking to expand their Bach keyboard work CD collection with something new and exciting. By all means, keep your favorite harpsichord and piano versions of the partitas as well. I have a feeling this is the one you'll listen to most often. One can only wonder at the next offering of this incredibly gifted man."

A master work, great performance, wrong instrument.

Raymond Ramski | Bremerton, Wa. | 05/07/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I feel that Paul Wachowicz gave an excellent review of Bach's most mature keyboard work, The Six Partitas. I, however, didn't walk away with the same feeling. The problem for me is the choice of instrument. The clavichord has such a soft voice. I have a number or recordings of the clavichord and the suggestions for playback are generaly the same, that is, the volume should be set at a level that any external noise will interrupt the sound of the instrument. The clavichord was primary a domestic instrument because it could be played on without disturbing anyone else, say, in the next room or when playing late into the night. These are concert pieces (by Bach's standards) and should be played on a large instument such as a harpsichord or piano to get the full effect of just how modern and ahead of it's time these pieces really are when compared to his contemporaries or even now. I do have to say that this recording of the work does have great effect when played late into the night. However, I feel that if your shopping for a great recording of the Six Partitas, this performance shouldn't be your primary choice, unless of course, you love the soft voice of the clavichord."