Customer Reviews

Bach: English Suites 1 3 & 6

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In the liner notes to his 1998 recording of the "Bach English Suites Nos. 1, 3, 6", distinguished American pianist Murray Perahia makes these observations about the complex harmonic structures which are Bach's counterpoint in these piano pieces, "These structures are not merely clever abstractions: Through the frustration or fulfillment of different musical goals, through the deceiving and delaying of musical expectations, an emotional ebb and flow is created that is never satisfied until the piece is finished. The structure guides the emotions, without which there can be no music. Thus the heart and the mind are united. Bach's genius is to evoke timeless and true human emotions, through the purity and spirituality of his writing - which, ultimately, stands apart from any specific instrumental environment." Having said this, Perahia is indeed a superb guide to these scores, since his playing is elegant, refined, and thoughtful, without the added hubris of excessive emotion. Instead, through his own brilliant technique, he subtly emphasizes the complex harmonic progressions inherent in these scores, whether they are, for example, the prelude that begins the English Suite No. 1 in A Major, or a simple folk melody like the Gigue which closes English Suite No. 6 in D Minor. This is indeed, some of the best piano performances of Bach's pieces that I have heard in a recent recording, made at the classic Swiss recital hall at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, which was also the venue of some of the great Beaux Arts Trio and the very last pianist Claudio Arrau recordings made by Philips in the 1980s. While I'm not sure that this is indeed a definitive recording of these pieces, I do think that they are quite exceptional and worthy acquisitions for fans of Perahia's recordings and Bach's solo works for the piano.

For the last twenty years I was a huge fan of Glenn Gould to the point

that I believed that when it came to Bach, Gould's was the only opinion

that mattered. After having recently been shown that this was not

necessarily the case I pursued a few other recordings of the English

Suites, including Perahia's and Hewitt's.

In my humble opinion, this one even surpasses the Gould set. I can't

stand the Hewitt set as it sounds to me like she read most of the parts

in the studio and she noticably gets fatigued in many of the ornamentations.

Perahia gives Bach even more life than I thought possible, sparkling

and beautiful. The modern piano and studio also help to put this

recording over the top for me. If you are still skeptical, download

the Gavotte II from Suite No. 6 or the Courante from Suite No. 3. These

are good examples of how the entire set is played by Perahia.

Murray Perahia's exploration of the Bach English Suites is fully fleshed out in this sumptuous recording. Perahia displays every facet and nuance of Bach's harmonically rich and melodically joyful Suites on the one instrument which can delve into the profound aural potential of the Baroque master's keyboard compositions: the piano. With ample skill and profoundly beautiful technique, Perahia gives each new idea life and instrumental vivacity. Bass passages spring out with the power of the plucked string of the cello; treble passages entwine themselves with the harmonic urge below; each idea penned by the worthy composer is realised with its own colour and character by Perahia, as though played by an ensemble of skillful musicians. Every vocal line tugs at the spirit, replete with intention. A powerful, subtle and much appreciated recording. Thankyou, J.S. Bach. Thankyou, Murray Perahia.

These are immensely satisfying performances and I agree with others who find these more pleasing than Gould's. But I still think the absolute king in this field is Ivo Pogorelich. I believe Ivo recorded only 2nd and 3rd suite. One listen may spoil you forever. Not to detract anything from Perahia's inspired reading; I thoroughly enjoy most of his records and concerts, but since Amazon reviews have one of the purposes to lead you to other revelations, try Ivo's renditions. It may haunt you forever.

I got Perahia's English Suites as a birthday present, but that was not the complete version--literally a burnt CD of which tracks were selected from my friend's iTunes. And ever since I've fallen in love with it. It's so warming and as probably all Bach's works it comforts your heart endlessly. I will recommend it to anyone who fancies Perahia and Bach. Perfect combination, isn't it?

I can't honestly tell you that you'll find Murray Perahia's versions of Bach's English Suites any better than those of Andras Schiff, Glenn Gould, or any other pianist. Perahia's CDs are simply the ones I happened to buy, and I find them completely satisfactory, from the standpoint of both Perahia's performances and sound quality. Particularly considering their mid-price status, the Perahia discs are a wonderful buy for anyone who loves Bach performed on the piano.