Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books I & II [BOX SET] [IMPORT]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Bernard Roberts (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Bernard Roberts
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (September 14, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Nimbus Records
• ASIN: B00001O2XM
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,287 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime Performances at a wonderful price!, September 21, 1999

By A Customer

Once again Nimbus Records goes the distance and gives us a boxed set of the complete Well Tempered Clavier with what can only be described as a sublime performance by Bernard Roberts, but at a price that can be afforded by many. If you already own a copy of his recording of the Complete Beethoven Sonatas then you will want to add this recording to your listening shelf. I would even go so far as to say that this recording can stand up to the ones by Gould and Schiff. The Performances and the price make it a clear first choice.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Consummate performance, April 7, 2002

By A Customer

If you can get hold of this please do. It is simply an outstanding performance. It mixes contrapuntal clarity, balance and perfect phrasing with a musical integrity, and a mastery of the keyboard that comes from not only a great technique but more importantly mature judgement.

49 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably Best Ever 48 on record., September 18, 2001

By	Lary Goode (Santa Monica) - See all my reviews

This is possibly the best ever performance of the WTC on record. Perhaps only Edwin Fisher or Ralph Kirkpatrick on harpsichord (LP, used only) is in the same league. Comparisons with them are not to his disadvantage either.
Owning over 50 performances of these pieces sometimes drives me crazy. Which one to listen to? However, this set immediately became my favorite. Direct communication of the holly spirit leaps off the keys with this set. In no other set is the voice and spirit of Bach more clearly related.
Comparisons with Hewitt show that Roberts possesses greater depth and coherence, with much more emotion. Compared to Schiff, which is wayward, heavy, lacks tension and momentum and stalls, and is unacceptable (D grade,) Roberts is direct, articulate, stylish and musical. For all you Gould fans, listen to this set to see how insensitive, lacking in depth, frustrating and ultimately, boring Gould is. Comparisons with Kirkpatrick on Clavichord in Book II are closer, though the still prefer Roberts for greater spirituality & inwardness. Compared to Landowska, who is romantic, heavy handed, wayward and perhaps lacking in depth & true understanding, Roberts is structurally clearer with greater sensitivity to Bachs's spirit. Gilbert, usually good, is just plain boring, dull, lifeless. Jarrett, technically perfect, is unmusical and sounds like a computer next to Roberts. No depth at all. Richter, typically, lacks depth and comprehension. Jando, romantic, lightweight, lacks any intensity at all. Tureck is great, almost matching Roberts in depth, but plays to slowly which can be problematic for some-Noisy recordings too. Roberts is tighter, playing with greater integrity, and still greater spirituallity.
Play this, then play any other after and you will see just how good Roberts is and just how great the work is.