JS Bach; WF Bach; CPE Bach; JC Bach: Concertos & Duets /Hogwood * Rousset

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Artist), Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (Artist), Johann Sebastian Bach (Artist), Johann Christian Bach (Artist), Christopher Hogwood (Artist), Christophe Rousset (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 12, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca / L'Oiseau-Lyre
• ASIN: B000004CYA
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Con in C, BWV 1061a: I.

2. Con in C, BWV 1061a: II. Adagio ovvero Largo

3. Con in C, BWV 1061a III. Fuga

4. The Art of Fugue: Contrapunctus 13 'rectus'-Fuga a 2 Clav, BWV 1080/182

5. The Art of Fugue: Contrapunctus 13 'inversus'-Fuga a 2 Clav., BWV 1080/1

6. Con, F10: I. Allegro Moderato

7. Con, F10: II. Andante

8. Con, F10: III. Presto

9. Four Duets, Wq 115: I. Allegro

10. Four Duets, Wq 115: II. Poco adagio

11. Four Duets, Wq 115: III. Poco adagio

12. Four Duets, Wq 115: IV. Allegro

13. Duets in G, op.15: I. Allegro

14. Duets in G, op.15: II. Tempo di menuetto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poor sound, but a rare gem, August 9, 2004

By 

Matthew Mendlik (Boston, MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JS Bach; WF Bach; CPE Bach; JC Bach: Concertos & Duets /Hogwood * Rousset (Audio CD)

What other reviews say is true: the sound on the clavichord recordings is low, but this is due also to the nature of the clavichord -- it's a sweet, subtle instrument. That said, even if one is disappointed in the rest, the first recording on the disc entirely justifies the purchase. While it is controversial to omit the orchestral accompaniment for BWV 1061 (which is then listed as "1061a") the sheer brilliance of Hogwood's and Rousset's playing makes the piece soar -- at times one forgets one is listening to only two harpsichords. Any collectors of Bach's music will surely want to own 1061a, especially as performed by these two artists. Honestly, I triple the volume on my receiver for the _first_ piece -- its sheer energy demands that it be played loudly, like rock. The final pianoforte recordings are also lively (and at regular sound levels- be sure to turn down your receiver after the clavichord pieces!)

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Big let-down, May 5, 2002

By 

Amy L Contrada (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JS Bach; WF Bach; CPE Bach; JC Bach: Concertos & Duets /Hogwood * Rousset (Audio CD)

I am a big fan of both Hogwood and Rousset (especially Rousset who I consider to be the best harpsichordist around today with the exception of Trevor Pinnock)- but there are some big problems with this CD. The sound quality on most of it is AWFUL, and the W. F. Bach concerto, maybe the greatest piece ever written for two harpsichords, is played very stiffly. Look for the disc of music for two harpsichords under the Harmonia Mundi label, as well as Rousset's recordings for HM if you want to hear Rousset at his best.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Out-of-Print, but no great loss . . ., February 11, 2002

By 

Johnny Bard (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JS Bach; WF Bach; CPE Bach; JC Bach: Concertos & Duets /Hogwood * Rousset (Audio CD)

One of the first discs that I ever owned was Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (actually a 2-disc set conducted by Christopher Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music). While much controversy still surrounds Hogwood's interpretation of Bach's famous concertos, it still remains one of my favorite L 'Oiseau-Lyre/Decca releases. I also continue to enjoy Hogwood's interpretation of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' and his various concerti (same label).

Having said that, I cannot recommend this particular disc. I have no problem with the way in which these pieces have been interpreted or played. Rather, my problem is with the recording quality of these works. Interestingly, concerto 1061 sounds fine. But the recording of the other compositions leaves much to be desired. The play-back level was so low that I had to triple the volume on my receiver. And even then, the sound was muffled, as if I were listening to the disc through a hollow drum.

The liner notes state that this disc features all the known works for 2 harpsicords composed by J. S. Bach and his sons. If that's the case, then Hogwood and the technicians involved should have done these pieces more justice. It's out-of-print, but I'm afraid it's no great loss, either. Hopefully, you can find these works on other labels. They're great pieces (provided they've been properly recorded and remastered).