Customer Reviews

Bach J.S: Italian Concerto, English Suites, Toccata Bwv911, 4 Duets

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This recital of Angela Hewitt playing Bach's keyboard works is NOT part of her well known and acclaimed series on the Hyperion label. Rather, it is on Deutsche Gramophon, and is not as generally available in the United States as her Hyperion Bach series is. I got it from an Amazon Marketplace Seller. It contains Bach's Italian Concerto, English Suite no.6, Toccata in C Minor, and Four Duets - and, judging from the photograph of Angela Hewitt, was made when she was much younger.

I own a number of Angela Hewitt's Bach keyboard recordings on the Hyperion label, including The Well Tempered Clavier (Books I and II), the English Suites (2CDs), the Toccatas, the Partitas (2CDs) and her recital CD of the Italian Concerto, Four Duets, Two Capriccios and the Partita in B Minor - and can say that this Deutsche Gramophon CD is just as fine as the best of her Bach recordings on Hyperion.

Her playing is very stylish, rhythmically alive, vital, with the singing tone, legato phrasing I've come to associate with her best Hyperion label Bach CDs. The inclusion of the English Suite no. 6 - perhaps the finest and most beautiful of the English Suites - and the very fine Toccata in C Minor make this Deutsche Gramophon Bach recital CD especially appealing. Her interpretations of the Italian Concerto, English Suite No.6, and Toccata in C Minor seem very similar to those on the Hyperion label, suggesting a long time familiarity with this music, and a very consistent approach to performing Bach. Good, clear sound. Playing time is 62 minutes. It is a pity this fine CD is not more readily available in the United States.

Strongly recommended.