Customer Reviews

David Russell Plays Bach

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Mainly in response to the criticism. I honestly feel this is one of David Russells finest recordings to date. I think in this cd that he really allows the quality of the music to shine through. I did not like the previous baroque record of Loilett and others as some of those pieces were a little dull. To me his first Baroque recording is still one of my all time favourites the way he plays and transcribes the opening movement of the Handel suite has never been done before. What comes over most in Russells playing is his humanity and his humility. He says that when he makes a transcription he goes back to the original even if he has previously transcribed it before. He doesn't even trust himself. When I first got David Russell plays Bach home I was nervous to play it because it was a recording that I had waited years to hear and was fearful of disappointment.

1 The prelude. He takes a liberal approach to the tempo here almost like a cellist would play it. A convincing version.

2 Fuge. Here is where he really begins to shine. very strict tempo and the voices really start to sing one of the finest versions.

3 Allegro fast scales a arpegios are where Russells technique allows him to really express himself freely. He is able to make connections within the piece that others would struggle to find.

4. Ok this is really famous stuff but Russell makes a really beautiful sound especially in the higher register that I found myself whistling this all day.

5 Allemande. The depth of sound and the way he really picks out the base notes. This is a stunning version. I usually hate when people add base notes to Bach as they rarely add to the music. Lets face it when bach trascribes his own pieces he is composing and a transcription is essentially a composition but this recording is the first that I have ever heard where the base notes are convincing and add to the piece. Fantastic ornamentation. Really exciting.

6. Courante. played really fast and exciting.

7. Sarabande. a little disappointing

8.Gigue. Russell shines again. I just wish he could have played it faster. The Nicola Hall recording of this piece is one of the best recordings ever.

9. Chaconne. Yes there are some articulations here that you need to get used to but well played. I think he should have gone for bigger more exagerated climax. esp. in the major section where there is a false climax followed by the real climax Heifitz recording is the best. Russell will just not let his tone suffer.

10.Prelude. someone called this straight forwards and dull. I feel Russell sheds new light on this piece and he gives it a strict tempo that it needs. His transcription and fingering are very original and make new effects not heard before.

11. Loure. No this doesn't really work for me I keep stamping my foot on the wrong beat Russell really throws me out here.

12 Gavotte en Rondeau. ok

13 Menuets 1+2 ok

14bourree ok

15 Gigue nice again

I like this recording of the 4th lute suite but not as much as the Barruecco one

16 Jesu joy.
I like this

These versions of Bach are on the whole up there with Barrueco and Nicola Hall.

Pleas email me at tom.tomemail@virgin.net if you would like to know more

David Russell has become over the years, THE standard of excellence in classical guitar. Just as John Williams taught us to strive for a standard of performance considerably higher than the first masters of the modern classical guitar, Russell teaches us to combine this level of technical brilliance with a timeless beauty captured only by the finest artists in history. I have met David Russell several times, have played in two masterclasses for him and seen two of his concerts and all I can say is, this man is the future (and present) of the classical guitar. It almost hurts to see someone review him as harshly as one of the other reviewers on this page did. I have studied guitar for 11 years, am finishing a Bachelors degree in performance and have won several prizes in national and international competitions. David Russell's interpretations of the PFA and Chaconne are, in my opionion, the best of any guitarist in history. Three words: Buy This Record

I can only say one thing about David Russell's new recording. This is the best classic guitar disc ever recorded. The transcriptions (by David Russell, of course) are greats. With thrills in two strings when the work is based in harpsichord and with thrills with left hand when the work is originally written for violin. The guitar sounds great. The counterpoint is fabolous. This is the best present for classical music listeners and Bach lovers. David Russell is making in Telarc the best guitar recordings (do you remember "Reflections of Spain", "Message of the Sea", "Baroque Music"?). And please, don't forget to see David Russell's live concerts.
Thank you again David Russell!

If you were to play this CD for someone who knows little about classical music, they would assuredly say, "Wow, this is really beautiful music." Taking several of his own transcriptions of Bach's music, Scottish guitarist David Russell puts together on this CD a most lovely, satisfying and varied program. His style is warm, ever-smooth, graceful, thoughtful and non-flashy - all of which matches well the temperament of this Baroque music (which obviously is very different than the style used in Spanish guitar music). Technically, he is hard to fault with his silky-smooth (and quiet) hand movements, liquid-like legato and precise articulations. Maybe others might bring slightly more drama to certain part of the music, but I find David Russell's playing most inviting and accessible. His playing is - like is said of the music of Bach - "a treasure to uplift the spirit and refresh the soul."

The selections range from the soft-spoken, spiritually-reassuring transcriptions of the choral preludes to the virtuostic pieces like the d minor chaconne (originally for solo violin) and the noble, courtly suites inspired by the dance music of France of that era. Russell's approach and tone here is quite appealing, never overly-dramatic and shows the his talents for transcribing. It is just as wonderful to play as - dare we say - gently stimulating and inspiring 'background music' as it is to listen to and study in depth. His guitar is recorded in a superb sound ambiance that is full, clear and not deficient in any way.

Mr. Russell effectively captures the sunny exhuberance and charm of the great lute suite #4 - a composition brimming with many appealing and memorable melodies in the French manner. In his transciption of the violin partita, he brings a soft, tender and meditative quality to the sarabande. In a similar way in the intricate masterpiece chaconne movement, he tames the often 'sharp edges' of the violin versions to reveal a more soft-spoken masterpiece. Of course having six fingers compared to one bow to carve out the inter-twining counterpoint voices makes this easier to sound "seamless" on guitar. He fittingly closes the program with the well-known and loved prelude, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" - which, according to the CD notes, is actually the title of the famous piano transcription given by Myra Hess. I always thought that was an odd or old-fashioned title. The original title of this choral prelude was, "Jesus remains my joy, my heart's comfort and balm." And David Russell plays this lovely piece with a wonderful warmth that - like the title suggests - is like a balm of comfort and assurance. All said, this is a most beautiful program containing several of the artist's own transcriptions that grows on you with frequently playing. 4.5 stars overall.

i love both... russell's technique is the cleanest and most musical (not necessarily the most extravagantly romantic) of any classical guitarist i've ever heard. listen to the majesty of the 2nd partita for violin in its entirety with its fantastic allemande and virtuosic gigue. the chaconne is clearly one of the best guitar pieces ever played. the transcription is not my favorite transcription of the work and the articulations are somewhat awkward in this recording, but one has to respect mr. russell's desire to record something new and unique. i actually heard him play it live in concert recently and his articulations were a bit different. the chaconne is still very enjoyable and provides an alternative to the more used segovia transcription. i suspect mr. russell referred back a lot to the original violin interpretation and tried to capture some violin on the guitar.

the prelude (track 1) is beautifully played, the allegro (track 3) is finally played with the speed of an allegro. track 4 and 16 might be the most boring in the recording because they're overplayed and overheard. the guitar transcription adds nothing to the more known orchestral versions. if you like bach and want to listen to his music played on the guitar, buy this one...

David Russell is one of the greatest classical players of all time, mainly because of his phrasing. His technique is flawless. I saw him live in concert in San Fran, not one mistake. Amazing.

Chaconne on this album is amazing, such amazing control of volume...

For me, this recording vies with the 1989 recording "David Russell Plays Baroque Music" for being Russell's finest recording ever. There is an embarassment of riches here, given the combination of three major works (Prelude Fugue and Allegro; Partita #2 for violin; and 4th lute suite)with fine arrangements of the choral preludes 'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring' and 'Sleepers Awake.' And surely those of us who play guitar for weddings will be forever grateful for having these solid, playable solo arrangements of those last two wedding classics.