Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Rubsam :: J.S. Bach: Partitas Nos. 3 & 4

Slower Tempos & Rubato Provide Contemplative Versions

03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's probably heresy, but I found Rubsam's slower, meditative renditions of the partitas more absorbing and eloquent than the great Angela Hewitt's middle-of-the-road approach. Rubsam, who is also an organist, is very free with his interpretations (i.e., there's plenty of rubato for everyone), but I never felt he fell into self-absorption or artless excess. On the contrary, Rubsam's careful approach was able to bring forth a contemplative spiritual quality rarely heard.This is Bach for those of us who cringe at the motorific metronomic march found in so many performances. Perhaps it's not "authentic", but it's certainly relevant and worthy. At this price, why not take a chance?"

A different take

Jonathan P. Higgins | Madison, WI United States | 01/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are some fairly free interpretations of the keyboard partitas. Rubsam uses a greater degree of rubato than most players would dare, but I think it imparts a more improvisatory character to the pieces which I really liked, remembering that Bach himself was one of the greatest improvisers who ever lived. Rubsam is sensitive to each line, and uses the freer rhythmic interpretation to nuance the counterpoint very tastefully.



I'm especially fond of his interpretation of the thrid partita giving it a sense of gradually mounting energy through each movement, emphasizing thow they all work together. I have some other versions of the third partita on both harpisichord and piano, but this is my favorite."