Customer Reviews

Very Best Of Bach

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

 

 

I believe that this compellation is good, but the selections don't exactly flow smoothly.

I would personally recommend this CD on the basis of Zina Schiff's "Chaconne"; Bach's "Second Solo Violin Partita in d."

Zina Schiff's 1989 recording of the partita seems to draw on the strings of my soul. Since I am not familiar with other recordings of the piece, and violins in particular, I cannot be as precise as I'd like, but I will try to do explain how I hear this piece briefly...

Zina Schiff is very expressive. In this recording, she is quite dynamic and precise (yet gentle and smooth in introducing melodic lines or ending a line or note.)

Her violin seems to be independent from human touch, it seems to sing at its own pace as its nature allows. At times, even my mind's ear tricks me. From her style I am led to believe that more than one violin sings, that there could possibly be two, or more -- from the richness and depth of her style, and also perhaps from how she seems to create distinctive voices that overlap.

The distinctiveness comes from how she strings certain (matching) melodic lines together. Even if they do not coincide, even if the melodic strings are separated by seconds or minutes, she seems to create separate voices for matching melodies. During one part of the song, the melody and supporting notes seem to be played from different instruments.

I do have a hard time describing her recording of this partita, I feel that human language binds the true expression of her violin, yet I hope that I've said enough to give you an idea how I hear this song.

Even if only for Schiff's Chaconne, I strongly recommend this CD.

I have to say that I whole heartedly disagree with the other review for this. I first purchased this CD when it was released, and was thoroughly pleased with both the performance quality and sound quality. I lent it to someone and never got it back. So I bought a second copy of it. It's not the definitive Bach collection you may be looking for, but the performances on this CD are outstanding. Also in regards to the person who wrote the other review, have you ever known a true audiophile to have a 100 disc cd changer? Didn't think so.

I must agree with the first reviewer that this is compellation by no means deserves the Nobel Prize.

My older brother, Robert, was a choral and symphonic conductor for most of his life. He had a great outlook on buying CDs. Rarely will a diehard musician buy a "Best of Mozart" type CD. So, you should not buy one expecting to hear Zubin Mehta and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. CDs like this are targeted at a less experienced audience who is trying to get into the classical groove or to find a song that they like.

However, if you are a Bach fan (and who isn't) I recommend staying away from this CD. The ensembles are frequently not together and the strings perform with poor intonation. It is easy to understand why this CD is so cheap. John Eliot Gardiner has been recording Bach Cantatas and Masses with the Monteverdi Choir and The English Baroque Soloists for several years now. If you are looking for choral music, those recordings are stellar. If you are leaning more towards the orchestral Bach, Sir Neville Mariner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Orchestra has made several compellation CDs that have Bach the way it was meant to be heard.

For those considering this CD, I do not recommend any further inquiry here. Seek Bach elsewhere. As for the previous reviewer, although it is great that you enjoy this CD, you should expose yourself to more of the great orchestras and recordings to develop a finer appreciation for Bach. And don't feel bad for liking this recording, it is certainly a great place to start. Just don't stop here.

R. Shaw