Suzuki: Bach – Das Wohltemperierte Klavier II (2 CD, FLAC)

Performer: Masaaki Suzuki
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Bis
Size: 1.03 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc 1
01. Präludium Nr. 1: C-Dur BWV 870
02. Fuge Nr. 1: C-Dur BWV 870
03. Präludium Nr. 2: c-moll BWV 871
04. Fuge Nr. 2: c-moll BWV 871
05. Präludium Nr. 3: Cis-Dur BWV 872
06. Fuge Nr. 3: Cis-Dur BWV 872
07. Präludium Nr. 4: cis-moll BWV 873
08. Fuge Nr. 4: cis-moll BWV 873
09. Präludium Nr. 5: D-Dur BWV 874
10. Fuge Nr. 5: D-Dur BWV 874
11. Präludium Nr. 6: d-moll BWV 875
12. Fuge Nr. 6: d-moll BWV 875
13. Präludium Nr. 7: Es-Dur BWV 876
14. Fuge Nr. 7: Es-Dur BWV 876
15. Präludium Nr. 8: dis-moll BWV 877
16. Fuge Nr. 8: dis-moll BWV 877
17. Präludium Nr. 9: E-Dur BWV 878
18. Fuge Nr. 9: E-Dur BWV 878
19. Präludium Nr. 10: e-moll BWV 879
20. Fuge Nr. 10: e-moll BWV 879
21. Präludium Nr. 11: F-Dur BWV 880
22. Fuge Nr. 11: F-Dur BWV 880
23. Präludium Nr. 12: f-moll BWV 881
24. Fuge Nr. 12: f-moll BWV 881
25. Präludium Nr. 13: Fis-Dur BWV 882
26. Fuge Nr. 13: Fis-Dur BWV 882

Disc 2
01. Präludium Nr. 14: fis-moll BWV 883
02. Fuge Nr. 14: fis-moll BWV 883
03. Präludium Nr. 15: G-Dur BWV 884
04. Fuge Nr. 15: G-Dur BWV 884
05. Präludium Nr. 16: g-moll BWV 885
06. Fuge Nr. 16: g-moll BWV 885
07. Präludium Nr. 17: As-Dur BWV 886
08. Fuge Nr. 17: As-Dur BWV 886
09. Präludium Nr. 18: gis-moll BWV 887
10. Fuge Nr. 18: gis-moll BWV 887
11. Präludium Nr. 19: A-Dur BWV 888
12. Fuge Nr. 19: A-Dur BWV 888
13. Präludium Nr. 20: a-moll BWV 889
14. Fuge Nr. 20: a-moll BWV 889
15. Präludium Nr. 21: B-Dur BWV 890
16. Fuge Nr. 21: B-Dur BWV 890
17. Präludium Nr. 22: b-moll BWV 891
18. Fuge Nr. 22: b-moll BWV 891
19. Präludium Nr. 23: H-Dur BWV 892
20. Fuge Nr. 23: H-Dur BWV 892
21. Präludium Nr. 24: h-moll BWV 893
22. Fuge Nr. 24: h-moll BWV 893

Outstanding, setting a new standard

The Well-Tempered Clavier has been in my life for over five decades. During that time I have probably listened to every record of it ever made: Hedwig Bilgram, Wanda Landowska, Rosalyn Tureck, Ralph Kirkpatrick, Glenn Gould, etc. up to Andras Schiff. Almost all of those great performers bring out different – and sometimes new – aspects of Bach’s music; explore it sometimes to the limit and beyond. What I have always been looking for is an interpretation that gives the listener space and latitude, room for his or her own “interpretation” – not too forcibly pushing into one direction or the other.

Suzuki’s interpretation avoids the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies so often observed when it comes to Bach’s keyboard music. His interpretation is crisp, crystal clear, and transparent but nevertheless filled with subtle warmth and vigor. Susuzki has found the perfect balance between historical authenticity and modern-day understanding. I bought Part 1 a couple of years ago when it first came out – and it blew me away. Part 2 is not a bit less stunning. In some recordings Part 2 does not stand up to Part 1; not so in Suzuki’s set. It is in every way as beautiful and revealing as Part 1.

These two albums have become my favorite recordings of the Well-Tempered Clavier. A pleasure to listen to over and over again. It is as if an old friend has reappeared in your life, more precious and lovable than ever.