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Well Tempered Clavier Books I & II BWV 846-893
Glen Wilson, Bob van Asperen, Scott Ross (Harpsichord)
A Terrific Trio of Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier
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Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II (Bach 2000 Vol. 109) [K-2] |
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WTC 2: 24 Preludes & Fugues BWV 870-893 |
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Glen Wilson (Harpsichord) |
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Teldec |
Jan-May 1989 |
2-CD / TT: 147:52 |
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Recorded at Lutherse Kerk, Haarlem, Holland.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.com [Box Set] | Amazon.com [Box Set] |
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2 |
J.S. Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier [K-2] |
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WTC 1: 24 Preludes & Fugues BWV 846-869 [121:11]
WTC 2: 24 Preludes & Fugues BWV 870-893 [142:53] |
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Bob van Asperen (Harpsichord) |
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Virgin Classics |
1989-1990 |
4-CD / TT: 264:04 |
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Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
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3 |
J.S. Bach: Le Clavier bien Tempéré - Livre II [K-3] |
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WTC 2: 24 Preludes & Fugues BWV 870-893 |
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Scott Ross (Harpsichord) |
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Société Radio-Canada & Disques Pelléas |
Apr 1980 |
2-CD / TT: 128:20 |
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Recorded at Radio-Canada, Studio 12, Montreal, Canada. |
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Donald Satz wrote (January 20, 2002):
My intent was to have both books of the Scott Ross set, but my order for Book I was cancelled; I'll deal with it at a later date. On the positive side, I now have the Wilson and van Asperen sets back in my home. I lost them a few years ago to the CD bandit, only to find that I was the real bandit. I had given the sets to my son who just happened to mention the tranfer a a couple of weeks ago. Being a good guy, he burned copies for me; I can now share the performances with you. Owing to the fact that these three sets have been available for a number of years, I'll be brief with my comments.
Listening to Glenn Wilson's set, I am greatly impressed with his interpretations. To be frank, I can't think of an alternative set on harpsichord that I like as much. Wilson is always at the service of the music, and I feel that he has a life-line into Bach's soul. He tends to be on the quick side, but there is never any loss of emotional depth. Each prelude and fugue is given its own unique flavor, and the consistency of illumination Wilson provides amazes me.
The performances from Scott Ross are also among the best. He's quick, energetic, fresh, and poetic. Every prelude and fugue receives an outstanding reading. Like Wilson, Ross is always immersed in the music with an exceptional display of pacing and dynamics. They differ in that Wilson covers a wider range of emotional breadth, while Ross concentrates on the joy of a fantastic musical discovery.
van Asperen isn't as vibrant, youthful, or quick as Ross and Wilson. He gives an exceptional performance steeped in maturity and insight. He is particularly impressive in the slower and more reflective music with a world-weariness that really gets to me.
Don's Conclusions: Three great sets with Wilson's being the best harpsichord version I know. They join Richter, Gould, Tureck, Gulda, Leonhardt, Gilbert, and Moroney at the top the mountain. And you don't want to miss the insights provided by Fischer, Landowska, Aldwell, Schiff, and a few others. All in all, there's a wealth of wonderful WTK sets available. Pick up a few; if only two, go for the Tureck and Wilson sets. |
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