Kirkpatrick – The Complete 1950s Bach Recordings on Archiv (8 CD box set, FLAC)

Performer: Ralph Kirkpatrick
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Audio CD
SPARS Code: AAD
Number of Discs: 8 CD box set
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 3.78 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc 1
01. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 1. Prélude
02. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 2. Allemande
03. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 3. Courante I
04. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 4. Courante II avec deux Doubles
05. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 5. Sarabande
06. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 6. Bourrée I & Bourrée II
07. English Suite No.1 in A major BWV 806 – 7. Gigue
08. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 1. Prelude
09. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 2. Allemande
10. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 3. Courante
11. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 4a. Sarabande – Andante sostenuto
12. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 4b. Les agréments de la même Sarabande
13. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 5. Bourrée I & II
14. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807 – 6. Gigue
15. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 1. Prélude
16. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 2. Allemande
17. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 3. Courante
18. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 4. Sarabande
19. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 4b. Les agréments de la même Sarabande
20. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 5. Gavotte I – Gavotte II ou la musette
21. English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808 – 6. Gigue

Disc 2
01. English Suite No.4 in F, BWV 809 – 1. Prélude
02. English Suite No.4 in F, BWV 809 – 2. Allemande
03. English Suite No.4 in F, BWV 809 – 3. Courante
04. English Suite No.4 in F, BWV 809 – 4. Sarabande
05. English Suite No.4 in F, BWV 809 – 5. Menuet I-II
06. English Suite No.4 in F, BWV 809 – 6. Gigue
07. English Suite No.5 in E minor, BWV 810 – 1. Prélude
08. English Suite No.5 in E minor, BWV 810 – 2. Allemande
09. English Suite No.5 in E minor, BWV 810 – 3. Courante
10. English Suite No.5 in E minor, BWV 810 – 4. Sarabande
11. English Suite No.5 in E minor, BWV 810 – 5. Passepied I en Rondeau & Passepied II
12. English Suite No.5 in E minor, BWV 810 – 6. Gigue
13. English Suite No.6 in D minor, BWV 811 – 1. Prélude
14. English Suite No.6 in D minor, BWV 811 – 2. Allemande
15. English Suite No.6 in D minor, BWV 811 – 3. Courante
16. English Suite No.6 in D minor, BWV 811 – 4. Sarabande & 5. Double
17. English Suite No.6 in D minor, BWV 811 – 6. Gavotte I-II
18. English Suite No.6 in D minor, BWV 811 – 7. Gigue
19. French Suite No.1 in D minor, BWV 812 – 1. Allemande
20. French Suite No.1 in D minor, BWV 812 – 2. Courante
21. French Suite No.1 in D minor, BWV 812 – 3. Sarabande
22. French Suite No.1 in D minor, BWV 812 – 4. Menuet I – II
23. French Suite No.1 in D minor, BWV 812 – 5. Gigue

Disc 3
01. French Suite No.2 in C minor, BWV 813 – 1. Allemande
02. French Suite No.2 in C minor, BWV 813 – 2. Courante
03. French Suite No.2 in C minor, BWV 813 – 3. Sarabande
04. French Suite No.2 in C minor, BWV 813 – 4. Air
05. French Suite No.2 in C minor, BWV 813 – 5. Menuet I-II
06. French Suite No.2 in C minor, BWV 813 – 6. Gigue
07. French Suite No.3 in B minor, BWV 814 – 1. Allemande
08. French Suite No.3 in B minor, BWV 814 – 2. Courante
09. French Suite No.3 in B minor, BWV 814 – 3. Sarabande
10. French Suite No.3 in B minor, BWV 814 – 4. Anglaise
11. French Suite No.3 in B minor, BWV 814 – 5. Menuet
12. French Suite No.3 in B minor, BWV 814 – 6. Gigue
13. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 1. Allemande
14. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 2. Courante
15. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 3. Sarabande
16. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 4. Gavotte
17. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 5. Menuet
18. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 6. Air
19. French Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV 815 – 7. Gigue
20. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 1. Allemande
21. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 2. Courante
22. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 3. Sarabande
23. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 4. Gavotte
24. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 5. Bourrée
25. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 6. Loure
26. French Suite No.5 in G, BWV 816 – 7. Gigue
27. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 1. Allemande
28. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 2. Courante
29. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 3. Sarabande
30. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 4. Gavotte
31. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 5. Polonaise
32. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 6. Bourrée [French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817]
33. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 7. Menuet [French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817]
34. French Suite No.6 in E, BWV 817 – 8. Gigue
35. Fugue in A minor, BWV 944

Disc 4
01. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Aria
02. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 1 a 1 Clav.
03. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 2 a 1 Clav.
04. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 3 Canone all’Unisono a 1 Clav.
05. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 4 a 1 Clav.
06. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 5 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.
07. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 6 Canone alla Seconda a 1 Clav.
08. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 7 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.
09. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 8 a 2 Clav.
10. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 9 Canone alla Terza a 1 Clav.
11. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 10 Fughetta a 1 Clav.
12. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 11 a 2 Clav.
13. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 12 Canone alla Quarta
14. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 13 a 2 Clav.
15. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 14 a 2 Clav.
16. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 15 Canone alla Quinta in moto contrario
17. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 16 Ouverture a 1 Clav.
18. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 17 a 2 Clav.
19. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 18 Canone alla Sesta a 1 Clav.
20. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 19 a 1 Clav.
21. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 20 a 2 Clav.
22. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 21 Canone alla Settima
23. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 22 Alla breve a 1 Clav.
24. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 23 a 2 Clav.
25. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 24 Canone all’Ottava a 1 Clav.
26. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 25 a 2 Clav.
27. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 26 a 2 Clav.
28. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 27 Canone alla Nona
29. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 28 a 2 Clav.
30. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 29 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.
31. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Var. 30 Quodlibet a 1 Clav.
32. Aria mit 30 Veränderungen, BWV 988 “Goldberg Variations” – Aria
33. Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 – Fantasia
34. Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 – Fuga
35. 4 Duets, BWV 802/805 – 1. Duetto I in E minor, BWV 802
36. 4 Duets, BWV 802/805 – 2. Duetto II in F, BWV 803
37. 4 Duets, BWV 802/805 – 3. Duetto III in G, BWV 804
38. 4 Duets, BWV 802/805 – 4. Duetto IV in A minor, BWV 805
39. Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971 – 1. (Allegro)
40. Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971 – 2. Andante
41. Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971 – 3. Presto

Disc 5
01. Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825 – 1. Praeludium
02. Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825 – 2. Allemande
03. Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825 – 3. Corrente
04. Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825 – 4. Sarabande
05. Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825 – 5. Menuet I – Menuet II [Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825]
06. Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825 – 6. Giga [Partita No.1 in B flat, BWV 825]
07. Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV 826 – 1. Sinfonia (Grave adagio – Andante)
08. Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV 826 – 2. Allemande
09. Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV 826 – 3. Courante
10. Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV 826 – 4. Sarabande
11. Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV 826 – 5. Rondeaux
12. Partita No.2 in C minor, BWV 826 – 6. Capriccio
13. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 1. Overture
14. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 2. Allemande
15. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 3. Courante
16. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 4. Aria
17. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 5. Sarabande
18. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 6. Menuet
19. Partita No.4 in D , BWV 828 – 7. Gigue

Disc 6
01. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 1. Fantasia
02. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 2. Allemande
03. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 3. Corrente
04. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 4. Sarabande
05. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 5. Burlesca
06. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 6. Scherzo
07. Partita No.3 in A minor, BWV 827 – 7. Gigue
08. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 1. Praeambulum
09. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 2. Allemande
10. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 3. Corrente
11. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 4. Sarabande
12. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 5. Tempo di minuetto
13. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 6. Passepied
14. Partita No.5 in G, BWV 829 – 7. Gigue
15. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 1. Toccata
16. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 2. Allemande
17. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 3. Corrente
18. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 4. Air
19. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 5. Sarabande
20. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 6. Tempo di gavotta
21. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 – 7. Gigue

Disc 7
01. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 1. Ouverture
02. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 2. Courante
03. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 3. Gavotte I-II
04. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 4. Passepied I-II
05. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 5. Sarabande
06. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 6. Bourrée I
07. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 7. Bourrée II
08. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 8. Gigue
09. Partita (French Overture) for Harpsichord in B minor, BWV 831 – 9. Echo
10. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.1 in D minor, BWV 1052 – 1. Allegro
11. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.1 in D minor, BWV 1052 – 2. Adagio
12. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.1 in D minor, BWV 1052 – 3. Allegro
13. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.2 in E, BWV 1053 – 1. (Allegro)
14. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.2 in E, BWV 1053 – 2. Siciliano
15. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.2 in E, BWV 1053 – 3. Allegro

Disc 8
01. Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, and Strings in A minor, BWV 1044 – 1. Allegro
02. Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, and Strings in A minor, BWV 1044 – 2. Adagio ma non tanto e dolce
03. Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, and Strings in A minor, BWV 1044 – 3. Tempo di Allabreve
04. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.4 in A, BWV 1055 – 1. (Allegro moderato)
05. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.4 in A, BWV 1055 – 2. Larghetto
06. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.4 in A, BWV 1055 – 3. Allegro ma non tanto
07. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.5 in F minor, BWV 1056 – 1. (Allegro)
08. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.5 in F minor, BWV 1056 – 2. Largo
09. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No.5 in F minor, BWV 1056 – 3. Presto
10. Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV 1050 – 1. Allegro
11. Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV 1050 – 2. Affetuoso
12. Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV 1050 – 3. Allegro

Dynamic, Considered and Powerful Bach

This set of discs is a limited edition of J.S. Bach’s English & French Suites, the Partitas, the French Overture, Italian Concerto, and several harpsichord concertos, notably Brandenburg No. 5.

The booklet notes discuss much of Kirkpatrick’s life and study of Bach and place him correctly as one of the early transitional figures from the late 19th century sound to the HIP zenith of the late 1980’s, though it would be a great exaggeration to call Kirkpatrick “HIP” in our sense of the word. He has a great sense of the timing and rhythm of Bach – he is unfailingly engaging and interesting. For these recordings, he used a harpsichord (constructed by the firm of J.C. Neupert) designed to be more like those of Bach’s time than of his day. However, this 1950’s-era replica of Bach’s harpsichord in Kirkpatrick’s hands conveys a power and varied sound notably absent from much of what is recorded today – a much sparer sound.

I was especially impressed with the stereo Partitas and concertos. The solo concertos, notable the French Overture, sometimes sound like string chamber orchestras, with a really different, full-bodied tone.

Get this limited edition while it remains available.

A word about the sound – half of this set was recorded in the mid-50;s in mono, though very clean and clear mono. The Partitas are all in dynamic, early stereo as are the concertos. No one should be put off by the sound here – these are all direct-to-disc transfers from the master tapes.