Ashkenazy: Bach – 6 Partitas (2 CD, APE)

Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 2 CD
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Decca
Siaze: 408 Mb
Recovery: +3%

Disc: 1
01. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 1. Praeludium
02. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 2. Allemande
03. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 3. Corrente
04. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 4. Sarabande
05. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 5. Menuet 1
06. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 5. Menuet 2
07. Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1): 6. Giga
08. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 1. Sinfonia: Grave adagio – Andante – [Allegro]
09. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 2. Allemande
10. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 3. Courante
11. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 4. Sarabande
12. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 5. Rondeaux
13. Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (BC L2): 6. Capriccio
14. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 1. Fantasia
15. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 2. Allemande
16. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 3. Corrente
17. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 4. Sarabande
18. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 5. Burlesca
19. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 6. Scherzo
20. Partita for keyboard No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 (BC L3): 7. Gigue

Disc: 2
01. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 1. Ouverture [Allegro]
02. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 2. Allemande
03. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 3. Courante
04. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 4. Aria
05. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 5. Sarabande
06. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 6. Menuet
07. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): 7. Gigue
08. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 1. Praeambulum
09. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 2. Allemande
10. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 3. Corrente
11. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 4. Sarabande
12. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 5. Tempo di Minuetto
13. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 6. Passepied
14. Partita for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 829 (BC L5): 7. Gigue
15. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 1. Toccata
16. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 2. Allemande
17. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 3. Corrente
18. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 4. Air
19. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 5. Sarabande
20. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 6. Tempo di Gavotta
21. Partita for keyboard No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830 (BC L6): 7. Gigue

Vladimir Ashkenazy’s playing seems to improve with age. After recording the complete Well-tempered Clavier, he turns his attention to Bach’s exquisite partitas. As with the two books of the WTC, Mr. Ashkenazy draws out a dimension of this seemingly formal and mathematical music, that is quite personal and dare I say: poetic…

It might be apocryphal, but I prefer the Russian Version of Bach: whether it’s Sviatoslav Richter, Tatiana Nikolayeva or Andrei Gavrilov, the ‘romantic approach’ wins me over everytime. It must be something in the wild unknown expanses of the landscape that translates itself in their philosophical, yet rhapsodic attitude towards music.

But now to the Partitas: I was quite surprised to find that Mr. Ashkenazy technique has not suffered with the years, nor has his interpretation, which is delicate and moving. These thoughtful, yet lyrical pieces are played with great focus on timbre and emotional depth, yet always serving the momentum of the Music as a continuous fountain of wisdom.

Humble and respectful, an inner beauty shines through this interpretation. As a broad river, the music flows spontaneously, yet authoritatively, each movement a further elaboration of the previous, as such unveiling their internal unity.

Like the WTC, this recording emphasizes the inner dimensions of Bach, conveyed in an intimate, soft-spoken manner. He succeeds in translating Bach into the twenty-first century, not in an iconoclastic way, yet calmly communicating its serene infinity in a purely humanistic perspective – noble and full of radiant simplicity.

There is a relaxed and refined dimension to this Music, that is the work of someone that knows the human condition and presents it subtly, yet convincingly. What a depth of vision into Bach’s Universe!

As usual with Decca, recording quality is exemplary. This time the microphone is a little closer to the piano creating a more clear and richly-textured sonic image in lieu of some spaciousness and air, granting a warmth and depth to the playing that is both soothing and surprising….