Bach: Violin Sonatas [Import]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Richard Egarr (Performer), Andrew Manze (Artist), Richard Egarr (Artist), Jaap ter Linden (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Richard Egarr
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (February 8, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B00003Z9UY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,858 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Andrew Manze has been called "the Grappelli of the Baroque violin" because of the improvisatory liveliness of his approach; however, he can just as easily change personalities. Sometimes he pads along with sinewy grace like a panther ready to spring (the Preludio to BWV 1023, for example), sometimes he goes for a much more relaxed cantabile line, and sometimes he plays with a sparkling and infectious sense of fun (Presto, BWV 1021). Add into the mix his varied styles of vibrato, and the result is positively Shakespearean in its sense of teeming life and characterful drama. He is accompanied with an almost telepathic sense of partnership by Richard Egarr and, in four of the nine sonatas, by Jaap ter Linden. As an extra treat, Manze includes his own arrangement (which he calls a reconstruction) of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor for organ. You'll never hear the original the same way again! --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing interpretations -- Bach rocks!, February 21, 2000

By 

Ed Brickell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

This is the closest you can get in classical music to a feeling like jazz -- these three top-flight musicians create a free-flowing, improvisational feel to this timeless music. Manze's dramatic violin playing is of course the star of the show, but Egarr and ter Linden ain't exactly session hacks. Beautifully recorded, with lots of warmth and space around the instruments without losing an intimate feel. The best recording of these sonatas I've ever heard. Go for it!

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Perplexed I am..., September 7, 2006

By 

François Beaudoin "Narcisse Le Québécois" (Québec ( Ville fortifiée), Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

I have a challenge for you, loyal listeners of Andrew MANZE : Try to listen to these two CDS in one shot ! If you can't, like me, it is, perhaps, for the following reasons :

First, the recording. We have to put the volume so loud that we

have, of course, a background sound. So the BIG gamba of LINDEN sound like a hammer. First moment of a great irritability. And its only the beginning of a long and painful period of frustations.

What's the problem with the violin of Manze ? Or what is the problem with MANZE himself ? Has he listened to his work after this recording ? HIS VIOLIN is creaking, acid, strident; it becomes rapidly unbearable; and four about two hours ! A pure moment of torture for my ears !

The curious idea to join a gamba to sonatas 1014 and 1015 could have been interesting. But, unfortunately, Manze is so slow, so lazy, so boring with is strident instrument that we want to go elsewere immediately ! For instance , the FAMOUS 1019, first allegro: a complete failure ! Deadly dull! No ZEST, AN INAUDIBLE violin whithout any energy; no excitement there ! And what about the famous preludo of the 1023 ? Manze delivers a dramatic and interminable performance which is, again, extremely boring. Remember its' BAROQUE music. Why this romanticism ?

The rare good moments ? The 1021 is successfully done. The short presto is thrilling. And the 1024 is well executed. That's all...

Where is the exuberance of Goebel/Hill on the Archiv label ? Or the excitement of Valetti/Frisch on the Alpha label ?

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Less is often more, March 12, 2000

By 

Isabella Channel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Violin Sonatas (Audio CD)

I am a big fan of Andrew Manze, but I think this is not his best recording nor the best there is of these marvelous sonatas. For a more consistent and musical view go for Fabio Biondi's otstanding reading in OPUS111. He and Rinaldo Alessandrini are warmer and more engaging.