Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Igor Levit
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Sony
Catalogue: 88843036822
Release: 2014
Size: 2.42 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Partita No. 1 In B-Flat Major, BWV 825
01. I. Praeludium
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Corrente
04. IV. Sarabande
05. V. Menuet I & II
06. VI. Gigue
Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826
07. I. Sinfonia
08. II. Allemande
09. III. Courante
10. IV. Sarabande
11. V. Rondeaux
12. VI. Capriccio
Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828
13. I. Ouverture
14. II. Allemande
15. III. Courante
16. IV. Aria
17. V. Sarabande
18. VI. Menuet
19. VII. Gigue
CD 02
Partita No. 3 In A Minor, BWV 827
01. I. Fantasia
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Corrente
04. IV. Sarabande
05. V. Burlesca
06. VI. Scherzo
07. VII. Gigue
Partita No. 5 In G Major, BWV 829
08. I. Praeambulum
09. II. Allemande
10. III. Corrente
11. IV. Sarabande
12. V. Tempo DI Minuetto
13. VI. Passepied
14. VII. Gigue
Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830
15. I. Toccata
16. II. Allemande
17. III. Corrente
18. IV. Air
19. V. Sarabande
20. VI. Tempo DI Gavotta
21. VII. Gigue
Igor Levit has recorded Bach’s Partitas BWV 825-830. It is the second release by the 27-year-old pianist, whom many regard as the greatest talent of his time, on Sony Classical. With his debut album, featuring the late Beethoven sonatas, Levit received critical acclaim and awards from international publications and organisations.
After Beethoven, Levit now turns his attention to Bach:
“It’s simply amazing what Bach could do!” Levit exclaims “He had a command of form second to none. Take the long slow movement of Partita no. 6: at the end it’s not a sarabande any more, but a crazy, radical free fantasy – incredibly emotional, it stands no comparison. It really shakes you up. This is music of the utmost perfection!”
And of the minuet from Partita no. 5, BWV 829 Levit says: “this is a humorous piece, not a minuet! And then suddenly it is one. And then it isn’t.”
Igor Levit has worked his way meticulously towards the famous Bach partitas. He read, studied and played music that came before Bach. While he was pursuing his research, he didn’t play Bach at all. And then he spent three or four years on the partitas without performing them in concert until he had the feeling he had finally mastered the scores and could do them justice.
In the intervening period since his first album was released, the young pianist has become more laid-back, and that is immediately apparent from a comparison of the two albums. When he recorded the Beethoven sonatas, Levit seemed to be hurling all his strength at the keyboard, battling the elements, as it were. In the Bach partitas, a relaxed distance can be felt; a happy calm that makes it easy for the pianist to enjoy performing the music to the full.
“For the first time in my life, I have the feeling that the way I play now is just right for me” he says. “Everything comes together, inwardly and programmatically. I can see light at the end of the tunnel, and that’s where I want to go. Since then, I’ve felt immensely relaxed. It’s true that I had to struggle with every note from the Bach just like with Beethoven – but this time I enjoyed the struggle.”