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Bach: The Art of Fugue / Musical Offering
 
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Bach: The Art of Fugue / Musical Offering

Cecil James (Performer), Denis Vigay (Performer), Kenneth Heath (Performer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor), Celia Nicklin (Performer), William Bennett (Performer), Andrew Davis (Performer), Christopher Hogwood (Performer), Nicholas Kraemer (Performer), Sir Andrew Davis (Performer), Neil Black (Performer), Tess Miller (Performer), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra), Stephen Shingles (Performer), Carmel Caine (Performer), Iona Brown (Performer), John Gray (Performer), Malcolm Latchem (Performer), Roger Garland (Performer)
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Product Details


Disc: 1
1. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 1
2. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 2
3. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 3
4. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 4
5. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Canon alla Ottava
6. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 5
7. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 6, a 4, im Stile francese
8. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Canon alla Decima, Contrapuncto alla Terza
9. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 7, a 4, per Augmentationem et
10. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 8, a 3
See all 18 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080: Contrapunctus 13, a 3 (inversus)
2. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Ricercar 1 (a 3)
3. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Canon perpetuus super Thema Regium
4. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Canones diversi super Thema Regium. Canon
5. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Canones diversi super Thema Regium. Canon
6. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Canones diversi super Thema Regium. Canon
7. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Canones diversi super Thema Regium. Canon
8. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Sonata for Flute, Violin & Continuo. Larg
9. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Sonata for Flute, Violin & Continuo. Alle
10. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079: Sonata for Flute, Violin & Continuo. Anda
See all 17 tracks on this disc

On this CD:
  1. Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of the Fugue), for keyboard (or other instruments), BWV 1080
    Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
    with Stephen Shingles, Celia Nicklin, Kenneth Heath, John Gray, Neil Black, Cecil James, Christopher Hogwood, Tess Miller, Malcolm Latchem, Andrew Davis, Carmel Caine
    Conducted by Neville Marriner

  2. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for keyboard and chamber instruments, BWV 1079
    Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
    with Stephen Shingles, Nicholas Kraemer, Roger Garland, Malcolm Latchem, William Bennett, Denis Vigay, Iona Brown
    Conducted by Neville Marriner


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

There are many apocryphal stories in the classical-music world, but the one in which Frederick the Great challenged Bach to improvise a six-part fugue on a theme of the king's own invention is true, and The Musical Offering was, after a period of further reflection, the result. As with all the works of Bach's later years, the work is both great art and a "teaching piece," which shows everything that he thought could be done with the king's theme. The Trio Sonata based on the theme is the only major piece of chamber music from Bach's last decades in Leipzig, and that makes the work and essential cornerstone of any Bach collection. This performance, led by Neville Marriner, is both polished and lively, and very well recorded. At a "twofer" price, coupled with The Art of Fugue, it's the preferred version of the work on modern instruments. --David Hurwitz

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An early masterpiece of the baroque revival, January 18, 2000
By M. Friedman (New York Area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
It was the music on this disc -- originally available as separate boxed sets of vinyl records -- along with ASMF's Brandenburgs that really sparked my interest in baroque music in general, and Bach in particular. Though, 30 years later, the performance sounds a little dark, slow and dense to ears accustomed to airier historically-informed performances, it nevertheless has a richness and warmth that you simply won't hear on any other recording of these two works.

This is absolute music, composed without any specific instrument in mind. The Offereing and the Art of Fugue have been equally successfully performed on the organ, harpsichord, piano, and by string ensemble. The ASMF succeeds in presenting them in ALL of these contexts, except the piano.

The performance is first-rate, if a little reserved.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars LIKE A TEXTBOOK --VERY INFORMED-NOT BAD, BUT A LITTLE DRY, May 29, 2003
By Dorian Lopez (North Bergen, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This cd is best for those of us who are unfamiliar with Bach's music and want to get to know these two works and buy an affordable cd at the same time. As a general introduction it is great and very educational--the art of fugue is played on various instruments to drive home the fact that the music was never scored for specific instruments. Each contrapunctus is given a decent and fair showing.

Marriner however seems to be most comfortable when he is conducting lighter, airier stuff like Mozart divertimentos (some of the best mozart around is conducted my marriner in my opinion) Bach is a little above him i think.You can tell that he has deep respect for this music by the way he handles it--but i think he has trouble finding the soul or emotion of this music. Put another way he demonstrates masterfully the intellectual side of Bach, but fails at capturing the emotion and feeling of Bach. And dont tell me that there is no emotion to Bach's music--because i know better having heard some of his other pieces.

To be fair though it should be said that The Art of Fugue and to some extent the Musical Offering are two of Bach's most abstract and "conceptual" works so it is no wonder that one might have trouble capturing all its dimensions on cd. I have difficulty sitting through this cd (although i have done it several times) at times the performance comes off as being a little dry and rote--almost as if one was playing an exercise or an etude rather than a work proper. It is best in small pieces. The fugal nature of the piece can at times make one think one is hearing the same thing over and over due to the slower tempo and conducting style of Marriner. In reality however there are many different things going on in each fugue despite the fact that they are all based on one theme. Close listening to the cd helps to develop a sensitive ear as you try try to distinguish what is going on in each fugue that sets it apart from the others (analysis).

As a final word, this cd is not bad-it s a good showing, but its definitely not the best perf either.In my opinion-this cd is best heard in small chunks. Its great if you want an introduction to this work, its great if you want to save money. Its great if you like your bach simple-- except for two harpsichords it doesnt use period instruments--but it does use period performance (no vibrato, small ensemble) Its also great if you like to "dissect" your Bach as you hear it and see the analytical side to this music. If however you would like to hear the emotional side to these very intellectual and somewhat abstract pieces try the Munchinger. Also do not miss the Stardust Quartet interpretation on recorders--it sounds as if it were a totally different piece--very airy and beautiful rather than heavy and concrete.

In general i would say if you dont know these two pieces by Bach start with this and once you feel comfortable and familiar with the piece check out some of the other interpretations and see how they differ and which you like best.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Only the tape quality keeps this from a '5', September 21, 2001
By Mark Lee (Woodruff, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This CD set comes from some tapes recorded during the '70s, and the audiophile will quickly hear this. In spite of this hiccup, the depth of the performances are striking.

In his last years, J.S. Bach wrote much of his music for the sheer joy of creating mathematically delightful pieces, hence the endless variations and inversions of the themes from "Art of the Fugue" and "Musical Offering." Some evidence suggests that J.S.B. didn't care too much whether or not the music was, in fact, performed. I think he would be struck by this performance, especially, of the 6-part ricercar - one of the most complex and repeatedly listenable compositions ever put to paper by man.

This is not necessarily a collection of music that bears constant listening to from start to finish as if it were a number of movements of a larger piece. Pick and chose your diamonds from the drawer, and leave a few for another day.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible beyond words...
...and yet I must attempt to desrcibe in words how incredible this music is. Harold C. Schonberg, the New York Times music critic, said about The Art of Fugue that perhaps it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Samuel Stephens

5.0 out of 5 stars Nitpickers Begone
I fail to see why this album should receive anything less than a five-star rating. Certainly, you can read those reviews that speak of repetitiveness, as though this were some... Read more
Published 13 months ago by edouard pinaud

5.0 out of 5 stars repetition, glorious repetition
An acquaintance of mine once overheard the sound of Bach emanating from my computer, grimaced slightly, and said 'it's repetition'.

Precisely. Read more
Published on December 30, 2006 by David A. Baer

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but why not go for the best instead?
Of the five CDs of J.S. Bach's The Art Of The Fugue recently acquired, this is my least favorite. It is good, but but lacks the precision and spark of Karl Munchinger's direction... Read more
Published on November 20, 2005 by Michael Cammer

3.0 out of 5 stars A reasonable, but not outstanding, 2 CD set of Bach
This is a good, but certainly not great, set of performances of two of Bach's contrapunctal works. Why only three stars? Read more
Published on September 20, 2005 by Critic at large

4.0 out of 5 stars A rich variety of instrumentation
This last, highly-systematic composition of Bach was his summation of the art of contrapunctal composition. Read more
Published on August 28, 2005 by Alan Lekan

5.0 out of 5 stars Height of Composition Skill
Contrapuntal Master shows his stuff with this masterful offering from Sir Neville and his Academy of St. Martin. Read more
Published on December 4, 2002 by rodboomboom

5.0 out of 5 stars A great recording of masterworks.
I realize I'm in the distinct minority here, but I think this is a fantastic recording of the Art of Fugue and the Musical Offering. Read more
Published on May 23, 2001 by Chris Massa

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best option, but...
I think Marriner and the Academy are best suited for other types of pieces. Mozart, Haydn, these are the kinds of composers that seem more appropiate. Read more
Published on December 27, 2000

1.0 out of 5 stars A Sleeping Death March
Once upon a time, I had a 33rpm vinyl done by I've no idea who. It was at a speedy tempo, one JSB would have loved. A very bright and cheery piece. Read more
Published on December 9, 2000 by Ronald Davis

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