Customer Reviews

Bach: Sonatas & Partitas, BWV 1001-1006

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Just outstanding... too bad Amazon doesn't have audio samples to give you a taste to help sell this. The pieces are superb to begin with, but the performance and recording are both exceptional as well. Can't recommend it enough.

As an aside, if you enjoy the emotive, introspective performance style exhibited here, Pieter Wispelwey's performance of Bach's Cello Suites on Channel Classics is an excellent companion to this collection.

I've never really taken to these works before. They are most often played on modern instruments in "conservatory style." When they are performed in this way, I find them strange, remote, and austere.

Kuijken plays them on an gut-stringed instrument of the kind Bach would have known. He uses a lighter, exquisitely-controlled touch, and he goes easy on the vibrato. Above all, he recognizes that most of the movements are _dances_, Baroque dances, and he plays them with infectious, propulsive dance rhythms.

The result is completely enlightening: now I understand why this is such wonderful music! The old metaphor of taking the varnish off an old painting is a bit of a cliche, but was never more appropriate than here. And as often is true in authentic performance, taking a light touch to the music actually increases its emotional force, which here is extraordinary, or so I feel.

So, if you love Bach's music, do yourself a favor and buy this performance of the solo violin sonatas.

I could not agree more with the other 2 reviews here.
Indeed outstanding and exceptional performance!. To MY TASTE the best recorded performance (I heard many of the existing recordings that are in the catalogue). The sound quality is a top one and, Kuijken's playing and approach to these pieces are very original. I really felt like I understand these pieces and their spirit deeper/better after hearing these two c.d.'s. If you look for a first rate performance of Bach's sonatas and partitas a check of these recordings is a must.