Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Hélène Grimaud, Matthias Spindler
Orchestra: Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Conductor: Florian Donderer
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalogue: 4777978
Release: 2008
Size: 255 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier: Book 1, BWV 846-869
01. I. Prelude In C Minor BWV 847
02. II. Fugue In C Minor BWV 847
03. I. Prelude In C Sharp Minor BWV 849
04. II. Fugue In C Sharp Minor BWV 849
Harpsichord Concerto No.1 in D Minor, BWV 1052
05. I. Allegro
06. II. Adagio
07. III. Allegro
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier: Book 2, BWV 870-893
08. I. Prelude in D Minor BWV 875
09. II. Fugue in D Minor BWV 875
Partita for Violin Solo No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 – Transcr. for piano Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924)
10. Chaconne in D Minor
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier: Book 2, BWV 870-893
11. I. Prelude in A Minor BWV 889
12. II. Fugue in A Minor BWV 889
13. Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 (Transcr. for Piano by Liszt)
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier: Book 2, BWV 870-893
14. I. Prelude in E Major BWV 878
15. II. Fugue in E Major BWV 878
Partita for Violin Solo No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006
16. I. Preludio (Arr. for Piano by Rachmaninoff)
Once again, charismatic Hélène Grimaud presents an album with an individual concept. Bach vs. Bach Transcribed brings together original keyboard works by the master with works by Bach arranged (transcribed) for the piano by pianist-composers of later generations: Busoni, Liszt, Rachmaninov. This is the first time that Hélène Grimaud has recorded Bach – a challenge for any musician. The repertoire includes the famous Well-Tempered Clavier II and the Concerto no. 1 in D minor, the latter performed with Grimaud’s regular collaborators, the Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Bach “Transcribed” features the Bach/Busoni version of the Chaconne in D minor, the Violin Partita in E major arranged for piano by Rachmaninov, and Liszt’s version of the Prelude and Fugue in A minor
Fitting her reputation for interpreting the keyboard repertoire in a big way, Hélène Grimaud presents her first recording of J.S. Bach’s works with transcriptions by Ferruccio Busoni, Franz Liszt, and Sergei Rachmaninov, which were all intended to update the music for the modern grand piano. Because Grimaud’s style is direct and robust, reminiscent of Martha Argerich, and the transcriptions are dramatically more pianistic than the originals, Bach purists should look elsewhere for more meticulous and historically informed performances of these Baroque pieces, perhaps on fortepiano or harpsichord. Grimaud’s fans, however, will feel at home with her rich and resonant playing, and if the beefed-up passagework, with all its octaves, chromatic filigree, and heavy pedaling, are deemed acceptable, then this album will surely find its audience. The preludes and fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier are not transcriptions, though Grimaud’s energetic and idiosyncratic playing almost makes them seem as if they were, and the Concerto No. 1 in D minor, supported by Florian Donderer and the German Chamber Philharmonic, Bremen, is delivered in a straightforward manner without embellishment or period instruments. The Busoni version of the Chaconne in D minor, Liszt’s arrangement of the Prelude and Fugue in A minor, and Rachmaninov’s fanciful adaptation of the Prelude in E major from the Partita No. 3 for violin seem to be the album’s raison d’être, for Grimaud finds her voice in these colorful performances, and her passionate and virtuosic style is best suited to their elaborations. Deutsche Grammophon’s reproduction is exceptional and well-balanced for Grimaud’s sonorous playing.