David Russell Plays Bach

Bach (Artist), Russell (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00007J4US
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,359 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate Bach!, December 26, 2004

By 

M. Levitt - classical music buff (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Russell Plays Bach (Audio CD)

I've rarely read so many conflicting reviews and reactions to a CD.

As a classical guitarist for many years (over 30), done graduate work in music, and listened to a lot of musicians (most non-guitarists), I can say that 1. everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and 2. I trust my experience and what I hear.

What I hear is a guitarist not only with a superb technique but phrasing that "breathes", that "dances." I've heard better Chaconnes on the guitar, violin and piano but, for me, David Russell overall is a very special guitarist. It is hard to find anyone, on any instrument, with his combination of technique and "feeling;" nobody can sustain that all the time.

The highlights, for me, of the CD are the transcribed Partita no. 2 and the Prelude, Fugue and Allegro. The transcriptions of the Bach Chorales - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Wachet Auf - are good.

Suffice it to say that this was my first time hearing David Russell. That he impressed me so much I went out and bought his Baroque album (excellent), his Barrios album (excellent), and his
Aire Latino album (am not sure what I think of it).

As a friend recently reminded me, with playing of this level, it is a matter of taste. For Bach on the guitar, I suggest Barrueco's recording of the Unaccompanied Sonatas; John Williams's CD of the Lute Suites; Sharon Isbin's CD of the Lute Suites; Segovia's Bach (in general); and Nathan Milstein and Henryk Szeryng's recordings of the Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin (which contain the Partita no. 2 on David's recording). For great Bach playing on the piano, try Rosalyn Tureck, Angela Hewitt and Martha Argerich. And trust your ears and instincts!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-done, and rare, Bach on the guitar, January 13, 2005

By 

Daniel J. Rose (Shrewsbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David Russell Plays Bach (Audio CD)

Like some other reviewers who rate this recording at 5 stars, I too might prefer some other performances in the Chaconne from Partita No. 2. On the other hand, Russell's playing is so extraordinary, I decided to suspend my prior preferences and attempted to hear that one movement as if for the first time. What I heard was a joyous and brilliant expression of pure freedom and mastery.

Rather than try to build to an intense sound in the climax, as one often hears (certainly from Milstein's or Grumiaux's violin), Russell seems to accept the limitations of his instrument, steps back, and seems to say, "Well, then, how CAN I bring off this beast of a piece on six plucked strings?" The answer is that instead of trying to make his superb, but limited, guitar match the decibel intensity implied by the music, he understates the whole thing, freeing up his monstrous technique, which he then applies toward the subtlest shades of tempo and dynamics, while racing toward the climactic conclusion (which anticipates the actual anti-climactic conclusion of this piece) with utter abandon. The effect is that the "missing" intensity echoes in the very deep respect Russell has for the sheer volume of notes that the music conjures. He deftly and clearly picks out the tune over that subtley sonic verbiage in a way that leaves no doubt of its intent.

I found myself urging Russell forward, but while some who play such music in an understated way leave it hanging, Russell somehow cleans up the loose ends, ties the knot, and truely brings it off--just so.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You've got the wrong end of the stick, February 19, 2004

By 

Steve (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Russell Plays Bach (Audio CD)

I find it quite amazing to read about some of the critic's responses to this album. I find it just as relaxing as any other David Russell CD. I am especailly shocked by use of words such as "Sterile"!!! I mean some of you seem to have something against perfectionism! The thing is that David's technique is so clean that it brings out more attention than his heart, but that dosn't mean to say that he lacks any heart in his playing, the problem is that the only thing people like notice is his technique (cause no other guitarist has ever developed a technique like Russell)!!!

Take a look at any score for Classicall Guitar, and you will see that the notes on the pages is what should sound, not squeaks, buzzes, glissandos or nail clatter. Thats just simple respect Russel has for the composer's initial intentions.

I have heard almost all of the top class guitarists and have never found anybody who matches David's playing. Any serious guitar student NEEDS this recording!! Trust me.