Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): Praeludium
Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): Allemande
Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): Courante
Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): Sarabande
Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): Menuet I / Menuet II
Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): Gigue
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (I), chorale prelude for organ (Orgel-Büchlein No. 1), BWV 599 (BC K28)
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), chorale prelude for organ (Orgel-Büchlein No. 41), BWV 639 (BC K68)
Cantata No. 147, 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,' BWV 147 (BC A174)
Sonata for flute & keyboard in E flat major, BWV 1031: No. 2, Siciliano
Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) 'Cortège'
Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 9 (L. 413), 'Pastorale'
Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310 (K. 300d): Allegro maestoso
Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310 (K. 300d): Andante cantabile con espressione
Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310 (K. 300d): Presto
Impromptu for piano in G flat major, D. 899/3 (Op. 90/3)
Impromptu for piano in E flat major, D. 899/2 (Op. 90/2)
It's easy to hear why these timeless recordings have virtually never been out of the catalog since Dinu Lipatti's untimely death in 1950 at age 33. Each movement of the Bach B-flat Partita is painstakingly detailed withou... more »t sounding the least bit studied, unfolding with logic, eloquence, and a cogent sense of dance. The two Bach-Busoni chorale preludes are sculpted in long, singing lines. Then there's the effortless textural juggling Lipatti achieves to moving, spiritual effect in the Bach-Kempff Siciliano and renowned Bach-Hess "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." By all accounts, Lipatti labored many hours perfecting the trills and various ornaments in the two Scarlatti sonatas, and it shows. The pianist's intense, impassioned Mozart A Minor Sonata reveals endless felicities of phrasing and touch with each relistening. Lastly, the two Schubert Impromptus, recorded at Lipatti's last recital, shimmer with concentrated, poetic refinement and serene joy that belie the fact that the pianist was mortally ill. Let's hope these cornerstone performances will be available for another 50 years at least. --Jed Distler« less
It's easy to hear why these timeless recordings have virtually never been out of the catalog since Dinu Lipatti's untimely death in 1950 at age 33. Each movement of the Bach B-flat Partita is painstakingly detailed without sounding the least bit studied, unfolding with logic, eloquence, and a cogent sense of dance. The two Bach-Busoni chorale preludes are sculpted in long, singing lines. Then there's the effortless textural juggling Lipatti achieves to moving, spiritual effect in the Bach-Kempff Siciliano and renowned Bach-Hess "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." By all accounts, Lipatti labored many hours perfecting the trills and various ornaments in the two Scarlatti sonatas, and it shows. The pianist's intense, impassioned Mozart A Minor Sonata reveals endless felicities of phrasing and touch with each relistening. Lastly, the two Schubert Impromptus, recorded at Lipatti's last recital, shimmer with concentrated, poetic refinement and serene joy that belie the fact that the pianist was mortally ill. Let's hope these cornerstone performances will be available for another 50 years at least. --Jed Distler
"The Bach is as modern as in any of today's recordings, despite the age of this one; Lipatti puts as much thought into his interpretation as Gould, but with a result more pleasing to the ear. The Scarlatti is equal in all respects to Horowitz's phenomenal recording, with beautiful colour and impeccable technique at the service of the interpretation. The Mozart leaves one breathless; Lipatti plays each movement in one breath, without respite, with unequalled intensity. Yet the music sounds lyrical, more so than a piano seems capable of. Finally, the Schubert sings like a Lied; One has to go back to Fischer for such beauty. No serious music listener should be without this record."
The definitive recording
Miles D. Moore | 10/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is simply the best piano recording I have ever heard, and I heard quite a few since I am a collector of piano CDs since many years.You cannot surpass the level of beauty and perfection that Lipatti has reached in this recording, and I don't think anybody ever will. This is piano playing from heaven. I have heard mentions of pianists like Gould, Perahia or Horowitz, but even such giants could't compare to the miracle we hear in this recording. I do not like to knock such legends, but it seems like their limits and weaknesses suddenly appear clear when we play them next to Lipattti. It is that good. A unique experience. In my opinion this is the definitive piano recording."
A Timeless reference
nicofromparis | Paris, France | 03/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lipatti's conception of Bach's music is of the very highest level, and his play dangerously approaches perfection. I don't agree with the review below that his Besançon live recording is superior to this one. Although Lipatti's performances were truly spectacular, and definitely belong to the best recordings available, he usually took a faster tempo than in his "studio" recordings. His play was utterly natural and I think even in Bach he is superior to Gould. His Scarlatti sonatas are on a par with Horowitz, although Horowitz recorded many more. Mozart's sonata shows less nuance than Perahia's although I strongly suspect that the microphone was much too close to the piano, because Lipatti was a master of nuance. Lipatti did so little, but he did so well..."
A pianistic genius silenced too soon.
Miles D. Moore | Alexandria, VA USA | 02/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dinu Lipatti was one of several tragic musical geniuses from the post-World War II period who died far too young. (Others included the pianist William Kapell, the contralto Kathleen Ferrier and the violinist Ginette Neveu.) Lipatti died at about the same age as Mozart and Schubert, and his recordings of those composers on this disc demonstrate that his loss was almost as great a catastrophe for the art of music as theirs. Lipatti's pianism "flowed like oil," to borrow one of Mozart's favorite phrases; it was always elegant but never mannered, always reasonable but never dull, intensely spiritual but never in a grandstanding way. I remember reading an interview with Seiji Ozawa in which he said that Lipatti's recording of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" was the only disc he would recommend to anyone who wanted to get acquainted with classical music; it was so beautiful and so warmly human, Ozawa said, that anyone who heard it would be hooked forever. Ozawa was absolutely right, and that recording is on this disc. Buy it."
Supremely sensitive musicianship
JP Nightingale | 12/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dinu Lipatti's interpretation of these Bach partitas carries such poetry and fluid grace - never showy or rushed - that these stand among some of the finest recordings out there. He really brings out the ebb and flow of the music so that it seems to breathe with the life he gives them. The other Bach pieces, including the Cantata, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, are equally captivating as is his interpretation of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8.
Included also on the CD are two Scarlatti pieces, played with real aristocratic poise and dignity and two of Schubert's Impromptus (899) from a live performance. The third Impromptu is absolutely magical.
Dinu Lipatti was a rare and special talent whose small recording output was cut tragically short in 1950 when he was only in his early 30s. These recordings are from the 40s and as such are of a certain sound quality (you can hear the needle go round the record with the Scarlatti) - but the sheer elegance of his playing breaks through any kind of mono barrier. As an aside, his interpretation of Chopin's Walzes comes extremely highly recommended and is widely considered as among the very best available.