Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Alexandre Tharaud :: Concertos Italiens: Alexandre Tharaud Joue Bach

Gifted Pianist Explores All Interpretive Possibilities With

Raymond Vacchino | Toronto, ON. Canada | 11/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pianist Alexandre Tharaud has an unique gift which allows him the ability to take remarkable command of J.S. Bach's musical styles and dialects.



Throughout this recording of the 'Concertos Italiens', Tharaud's vibrant and varied sonorities perpetually sing, while his contrapuntal acumen leaves no detail unconsidered nor unduly fussed over. The playing follows history and manifestation of the genre as seen through his eyes offering magnificent insight to amateurs, students and virtuoso's.



Tharaud's tempi always seem right for what the music has to express, and textures gorgeously showcase his fluent, utterly natural conversational give and take between the hands. The Italian Concertos were in all likelihood, brought back from Amsterdam by Bach's employer in Wiemar and then transcribed in about 1714.



Tharaud's unique abilities are also found in the way he conveys the "real voice" of Vivaldi. By creating various moods that move from a yearning lament to a measured pulse, non-legato touch, and strong melodic projection he highlights the F major'Italian Concerto's' inner rhythmic motion, decorative lines and lyricism, while his left hand provides a strong decisive underpinning. Even at a brisk tempo, the music speaks clearly and eloquently while every accent, syncopation and cross-rhythmic gesture is perfectly placed. It is in the second movement that Tharaud displays his truly interpretive gift.



Every possibility is explored, but the playing remains a model of musical grace. There is such a sense of inner repose and inclusiveness from start to finish, complimented by impeccable taste and musicianship. The last movement obtains such a wide variety of articulations and a keen ear for harmonic tension and release. As well the icing on the cake is made delicious in the finale, due to the strict pulse he maintains in the "perpetuum mobile" motion.



The expertise Tharaud displays throughout this recording makes you totally aware of the way convention and style are enlivened by Bach's genius. One comes away dazzled by the unique sonorities, imagination and elan of these magnificent transcribed performances.

Pianist Alexandre Tharaud yields to fantasy, allure and the breeziness which Bach would have both admired and wanted.



I personally feel that Tharaud has created a masterpiece that will be treasured, as well as setting a presedent of virtuosic excellence that will indeed challenge the most formidable of concert-pianists to surpass!



Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus. Classical Music Critic"

Little Known Transcriptions, Perfectly Performed

John Hopfensperger | Midland, MI | 03/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is easy to forget that Bach had competition as a Baroque composer (or, indeed, that he wasn't even as famous as this competition in his own time). And so, this disc comes as a pleasant surprise. To hear his own transcriptions of music by Vivaldi (as well as Alessandro and Benedetto Marcello) reveals the contemporary influences on Bach's music. After all, this was how Bach learned to compose - by studying and transcribing the music of his predecessors.



And then he would transcend them. The comparison of Bach to his contemporaries is illustrative not only of Bach's mastery of the keyboard - his ability to capture the full essence of their concerti with just the unaccompanied piano - but also of his progression into the master of the Baroque. The Italian Concerto is clearly the major work on this disc, and this performance is remarkably full of life



Tharaud captures nearly the contrapuntal clarity of Perahia (who is unmatched in this regard), but plays with greater speed and excitement. This may be the best recording of Bach's concerto on disc.



The other, lesser works are also realized with technical perfection and unobjectionable music taste. The sound, of demonstration quality, fully meets the high expectations of the Harmonia Mundi label. This disc may be pricey (though, if you've the technology, the Amazon-mp3 album is a steal at mid-price), but it is simply beyond reproach in any regard.

5/5

"