Customer Reviews

Bach: Two part Inventions/Three Part Inventions

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first problem I have with this recording is the performer's extremely free additions of ornaments that are not in Bach's scores. While these may be somewhat justifiable as common practice in Baroque period music, they are rather unlikely considering the pedagogical nature of the composer's original intentions for these works. Schiff's use of outright RUBATO in places absolutely kills the forward-moving rhythms that one longs to hear in these pieces. Schiff's fabulous technique is evident in every piece, but his phrasing is almost as though he were playing Brahms, rather than Bach. Purists who are looking for an accurate performance from a historical perspective will NOT enjoy this CD. But again, the pianist's technical prowess is quite praiseworthy, despite the CD's lack of historical style considerations.

These performances are valuable just as are most of Schiff's Bach recordings: they offer an important alternative to Gould's highly idiosyncratic and personal treatments of this music. Schiff manages to uncover all sorts of structural, harmonic, and phrasing nuances that are so important in this music, and which Gould often steamrolls over. Schiff is also technically impressive, possessing a touch which is generally light, though often assertive and forceful. These recordings seem to me to elucidate a good deal more about these pieces than any other recordings available. Get the Gould, but get these first.

Schiff plays Bach extremely well with a beautiful tone. I personally think that Schiff plays better than Gould. An eccentric person, Gould mainly does what he wants. In some pieces, he plays them extroadinarily, but most pieces, they are a mess of complete rushing and absolutely no dynamics. In almost every song he plays, Schiff shows a perfection that no one else could have. I enjoy listening to him and learn a lot.

I can't believe the negative reviews about Schiff's performance of this work.

This is a perfect performance, perfect in every respect: tempi, ornaments, dynamics, technique etc. and of course the overall feeling that this performance exhudes.

Highly recommended.

Sorry, I've heard them both. I must say that in terms of BOTH sound quality AND proficiency, Schiff's CD is better.

Enough with the cult of Gould.

This CD provided a great way to help me learn to play Bach's inventions and sinfonia sans a piano intstuctor. It was much easier to learn them than with the sheet music alone. The enhancements were easy to adapt.

Many will surely find Schiffs playing to be delightful, and it is, but he seems to be embellishing things to the point when things starts to either fall apart or be plainly boring. These minatures should, to my liking, be played more straightforward, but still keep a springloaded driving momentum they way Gould masters it. Schiff is nevertheless great and does a better job than for instance Hewitt, Sebestyen, Peter Serkin and Martins. Buy both GG and Schiff and you'll have much fun. Try Inventions 5,7,13, 15 and Sinfonias 8, 11, 14 and 15.

His 2 and 3-part interpretations sound thin and mechanical. I'd caution anyone to buy it, and at least listen to Glenn Gould or Angela Hewitt before. Schiff generally is an excellent Bach:ist, but his inventions and symphonias are not up to the same level as much of his other work. The best recording all categories for these works on piano is Gould's. For Harpsichord, I like Van Asperen a lot.

I used to love these performances but over the years they've come to seem fussy and the ornamentation a bit contrived and graceless. Maybe I'm just becoming an old crank or maybe my tastes are maturing--who knows?

This recording is an extremely fine and expert performance of Bach's inventions. The sound quality is great, clean and bright.