Customer Reviews

Bach: Keyboard Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 4

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Murray Perahia and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields performed Bach's Keyboard Concerto no. 1 here in Austin, and I was absolutely spellbound! I own and love the classic recordings of it by Wanda Landowska and Glenn Gould and considered them more than sufficient for a music library. But when I heard Perahia and the Academy give their riveting rendition of this piece, I had to have this CD. Sure, it's a romantic approach, and the purists will howl, but it is gripping, exciting, communicative MUSIC in the hands of these performers. Perahia as a pianist is without equal, but he will begin to gain new stature as a conductor with this CD. Like the great Sir Thomas Beecham, he understands what is going on in the music he conducts, and conveys it with elegance, passion, and power.

I was bowled over by Murray Perahia's recent recording of the Goldberg Variations. His consistently elegant playing and phenomenal attention to detail vividly traced the myriad textures in Bach's amazingly varied variations.

Thus, I had high hopes for Perahia's go at Bach's keyboard concerti, which were only partially fulfilled. Perahia's playing is still strikingly elegant and tasteful, and the delicate and nuanced accompaniment by the Academy of St.-Martins-in-the-Fields perfectly suits his approach. But these concerti are more extrovert and "public" works than Bach's solo pieces and require more bite and projecton. At times, the playing here crosses the line into prettiness -- and Bach should never be merely "pretty."

Still, these are sensitive and artistically refined performances, and deserve to be heard. A couple of further complaints: as a nod toward "authenticity" a theorbo is added to the continuo line. Except for an occasional twang, the instrument is inaudible and should simply have been dispensed with. Also, we're given only three concerti on the 53-minute disk; there would have been plenty of room for a fourth.

Of course Perhaia is a great pianist and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is a great ensemble. But here I believe we get more than just the sum of the two. I was fortunate to hear a concert of Perhaia and St. Martin in the Fields here in Ann Arbor and they performed the first of these concertos. I have to tell you that the piece is so full of wit and fun that I chuckled out loud (softly).

You know that you have great musicians performing when they have so much command and understanding of what they are playing that they are willing to tell the musical jokes (witty jokes) with subtlety and grace. This is wonderful stuff.

The playing is tight, with the players listening to each other in ways that are too often ignored in larger ensemble pieces. Imitations and joint phrases are actually pulled off like they are in a string quartet. Yes, the Academy is a smaller orchestra that usually performs without a conductor so they are used to ensemble playing. This is just proof that they have accomplished what they set out to do. An chamber orchestra that plays as if it were a single musical instrument with almost endless musical colors and capabilities.

The other two concertos are just as great and fun as the first. There is also a companion disk with 3,5,6, and 7. So, there is even more to enjoy!

This is one of the worlds greatest pianists and togheter with Academy of St. Martin in the fields and good sound-engineering this keybord concertos sounds lively, fresh, lyrical and it comes without any ego-mannerism.

Perahia shows on this disc(and his other Bach discs) why he has won grammys, been nominated a couple of times too and more imprtent than a grammy, musically speaking :-) get last years Grammophone award for best instrumental album.

My only complain about this SET/DISC (not about the music) is that it could been more filled up (it is a bit short only ca 53-54 minutes) otherwise music, performance, sound is stunning.

This one with Perahia et al he played conertos by modern Steinway piano instrument and my choise for harpsichord/clavecin, having concerto no. 1, BMW 1052 on it, is Pirre Hantai and le concert francais on record company Astrée/naive 1994 (remastred 2001 -excellent sound). Hantais superb versions also contains BMW 1054 from Perahia Bach keybord concertos including no.3, no.5-7.

On this well performed disc Sony engineers could have tuned up that theorbo (bass lute) a little more and not put it so much in the background but it is a minor because othervise it is a very well engineered disc.

Highest recomendation. In my opinion Perahia is a more lyrical choise about this music than any other.

I haven't heard Perahia's other Bach recording but will now need to check them out. I am a Bach fanatic and own multiple recordings of the same works and so was not expecting much from this when I received it as a gift. However, from the opening measures of track 1, I was amazed at the pure joy and beauty with which Perahia and the Academy perform. To the purists I say that Bach is a master because his work withstands so many different interpretations. As far as recording quality, I would prefer more presence from the orchestra but after all these are piano concertos.

I'll take the other reviewer's advice and listen to Schiff as well as I've preferred some of his Mozart over Perahia in the past.

Mr Perahia is never short of wonderful, but those of us who love music but baulk at full price should consider the two Hae-won Chang discs of Bach keyboard concertos on Naxos. Miss Chang is always inventive, always musical - she plays like an angel - and the eastern European orchestra is supportive and fresh. Mr Perahia is, simply, one of the great pianists but Hae-won's Bach is just fabulous (too).

Like all the other reviewers below, this recording has me singing its praise. Perahia's playing is stunning and St Martin in the Fields delivers a beautiful sound. This cd (and the second set) is well worth your money. Also, if you enjoy Bach's Brandenberg Concertos, listen to his 6th Keyboard Concerto - it is the 4th Brandenberg Concerto for piano.

First of all, it is a speechless joint effort of the creator of the music and the presenter of the product from 100s of years ago, which sounds like it will glow forever.
Last of all
I cannot say any thing more but listen.
emil
from Middle East

Murray Perahia is a pianist who thrives in the music of Bach, with all its beauty, grandeur, and poetry. Here he is joined by the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields to conduct some of Bach's keyboard concerti from the piano. He's turned out to be a fine director who pulls some lovely sounds out of the famed orchestra that I don't think I've heard the likes of in any of their recordings with Marriner. Not Marriner isn't worth admiring--far from it--but Perahia makes music making so easy that Marriner can sound stodgy in comparison. Lyricism flows forth effortlessly from both Perahia and ASMF that is a wonder to behold. Everything is done with a marked intimacy, the kind of material that sounds like a carry-over from chamber music. Perhaps Perahia's main secret as a conductor is simply that his love for his music is contagious, allowing his partners to catch his creative vision. Everything is as light as a feather and Perahia's dashing spirit is full of vitality.

But, despite its charms, the one setback to this album, if you can call it that, is that darker side of Bach is never touched on. Gracefulness certainly reigns to a large degree in Bach, but what about the richness, the somberness that leads to resignation? I know you can bring these qualities out in Bach; Perahia's own solo recordings of the composer prove this, especially those wonderful Goldbergs and Partitas. And in the concerti field, there is always Perahia's later recording with ASMF of Bach's Triple and 5th Brandenburg concerti, where Perahia sees reflection and resignation in a powerful way. But here, Perahia opts instead for pure loveliness, making everything without a care in the world.

Perhaps you think that this different approach doesn't sound all that bad. You're right on. I certainly find it refreshing and delightful to hear. It's simply that when compared to Perahia's other Bach efforts it doesn't quite have the same emotional effect. I'm not going to try to take away from what Perahia has to offer though, because it does provide ravishing material. I'm going to continue to listen to it for the breathtaking beauty and joyful spirits it has to offer. It certainly is a treat.

Until a couple of months ago, I had a large collection of Mozart piano concertos I loved, but wasn't aware that Bach piano concertos even existed. Then I heard tracks 4-6 on the radio and decided I had to have this disc. It has given me a tremendous amount of pleasure, and just keeps getting better with each listen. Can't wait to buy the companion recording with concertos #3,5,6,7.