Customer Reviews

Bach on the Banjo

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

John Bullard follows his marvelous The Classical Banjo CD with another fine collection of classical works arranged for five-string banjo in which he again demonstrates the versatility of the banjo in the hands of a masterful player. This time, there are more ensemble performances with guitar, violin, cello, and harpsichord, including great arrangements of the hornpipe from Handel's Water Music and a Telemann concerto. The highlight, though, is a solo banjo version of Bach's Prelude from Partita No. 3, a five-minute tour de force that is, as the pickers say, a real knuckle-buster. Like his performance of the Bach Gavotte on the first CD, this piece is sheer beauty.

Another wonderful CD - check out the excerpts on the web page and then get it.

I wonder if that idiot who wrote about stomping feet ever bothered to listen to either of Mr. Bullards cds. If he had, he would have found tasteful, respectful, even reverent translations of pieces from the height of the baroque. Bach himself wrote that his two and three part inventions were designed to teach the player the "singing style" with each hand; this is in some ways a microcosm of the baroque precepts of polyphony and counterpoint. Mr. Bullard lets each "hand" speak for itself. If you're a classical music novice like myself, it is much easier to make sense of and follow the fugue when each voice is played on a different instrument, and this cd has increased my appreciation of Bach and Handel far beyond the pieces found here.
However, there's no reason to be overanalytical. This cd stands on its own. If you really enjoy music, reject any snobbery and subscribe to the view that "If it sounds good, it is good", you'll probably love this album and also its forerunner.

Nice recording, good clean playing. Worth buying. By the way, I noticed one of the previous reviewers of this CD seems to regard banjo as a "country music instrument." Obviously knows nothing of the extensive jazz, orchestral, folk or modern music history of the instrument. Suggestion: go and listen to some Bela Fleck or Alison Brown and don't display your ignorance.......

Wow! What a pleasant surprise. It's so beautiful.
Another great recording of some awesome music.
3 main points:
1st of all the playing is superb. What a fantastically sensitive touch on the banjo!
I'm floored by how well this music works on the banjo.
Great music played by a masterful musician who "gets it".
2nd of all the sound is very pleasing. Not only the banjo, but all of the instruments.
An excellent warm, smooth and natural recorded sound to the ensemble.
Never sharp, jagged or irritating.
It's actually a very relaxing album.
And 3rd, the selection of music is very nice.
Definitely one for the collection of any Baroque music fan.
Would love to find more gems like this.
Highly recommended.

I was actually just googlin' for any great recordings of Partita No. 3, and lucky me, up pops this stunningly tasty record.
By 30 seconds into the first piece, I was at John Bullard's website purchasing his other CD "The Classical Banjo". I'm looking forward to getting that CD for sure.

This is a nice twist from traditional banjo playing. If you like classical guitar, you will be amazed to hear the music from the classical banjo! Relaxing music of the classics.

Admittedly, I bought this CD for Bach's Violin Partita No. 3 in E - Prelude (My favorite piece of all time). However, this whole CD should provide any Baroque listener with as much enjoyment as it does for me. The transciption for banjo is an interesting change from typical classical instruments, and it sheds some new light on Bach's genius. Even being played on their non-native instruments, Bach's pieces never lose their ability to wow me. I highly recommend to any fan of Bach.

As I listen to the album, I keep forgetting it's a banjo, because it sounds like a harpsichord. Probably sounds very much as Bach heard the songs. I highly recommend the album.

......cause Bach has done gone country. Well yeeeehaaaa!!!!! ... What's next? How about Mozart on harmonica. Telemann on jews harp and wash board. Let the baroque barnyard dance begin. Weeeeehooooo!!!!!!