Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas

Paul Galbraith (Performer) Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 4, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Delos Records
• ASIN: B000009SDY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,978 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawless and deep, January 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas (Audio CD)

This album is, indeed, a must for Bach fans. Unlike other reviewers, I do not find it "easy listening", on the contrary. Especially if you know the violin pieces well, this recording will blow you away (or at least keep you wide awake at night). The reason is the dazzling lucidity of Galbraith's playing. Sure, on one (superficial) level, the emotional depth seems to be toned down. However, on a different (deeper) level, it's the opposite: by keeping the range of his speed and volume limited, Galbraith achieves a density and concentration I have never heard before in Bach's partitas. He practically forces you to put down the book that you might be reading at the same time, and to listen carefully. What a happy combination of technical brilliance and musical understanding of Bach's work.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent performance, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas (Audio CD)

I fell in love with Bach's music many years ago, and as a player of classical guitar I have had the pleasure of enjoying the great recordings of Bream, Segovia, Yepes, etc. I haven't been actively keeping up in this area of late, but a review of the Galbraith recordings of the Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas came to my attention, and I decided to jump back in. I feel fortunate that I did! I never thought my interest could be rekindled like this. Galbraith's interpretations of these pieces is deeply reverent of the music. Galbraith doesn't try to showcase his playing. Rather, he has clearly dedicated himself to understanding the music, and playing exquisitely detailed and unhurried performances that let the music speak for itself. For those of you who are new to this music, the Chaconne from the 2nd Partita is one of the crowning monuments of any music by any composer of any time. Each time I listen, I marvel at how much emotion comes from this profound and spare piece of music. As Galbraith says in the liner notes, this piece is "fathomless" in it's depth. Galbraith's slower-than-typical pace, and his reverent attention to each note and musical line is wholly up to the inspiration this piece demands. The performance is heart stopping. It brings me to tears each time I listen, and I have to remember to start breathing again when it's over. I think that both people familiar with this music and people new to it can find great enjoyment in these performances. END

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally fresh, superb playing, April 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas (Audio CD)

I probably have 100 or so classical guitar recordings, and this one stands out from the others as boldly as the Segovia recordings, but for a totally different reason. The unique sound of the instrument, perfect playing, and lack of normal string noise took me quite by surprise. Very highly recommended.