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Partitas BWV 825-830
Played by Piotr Anderszewski |
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Piotr Anderszewski plays three Partitas |
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Piotr Jaworski wrote (October 15, 2002):
For those who follow a bit the great talent of Piotr Anderszewski here is his latest recording:
JSB Partitas 1 (BWV 825), 3 (BWV 827) and 6 (BWV 830)
Virgin Classics 5455262
I can imagine that it is not only nervously awaited in Poland, but also elsewhere...
Piotr Jaworski (Warsaw)
PS.
Peter Bright! If you're in the office right now and have some spare GBPs - do not go for lunch for two or three days - BUY THIS CD! As soon as possible!!! |
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Bradley Lehman wrote (October 16, 2002):
[To Piotr Jaworski] I'm curious to hear how it is.
Recently I bought and reviewed Anderszewski's CD of two Mozart concertos: I liked almost everything I heard, but also I thought he seriously misinterpreted Mozart's intentions with regard to completing or improvising portions of the solo part. (Anderszewski doesn't add anything, even where Mozart left only a thin sketch.): Amazon.com
I've also listened to his CD of Bach's French Suite #5 and French Ouverture...similarly I have mixed feelings about it. His control of the piano is terrific, and obviously he's thought through (and carefully practiced) every detail, right down to the speed and evenness of his "improvised" ornamentation. His tone is beautiful, and he brings out plenty of detail in the texture. His strong dynamic contrasts are exciting...maybe even too aggressive sometimes in forte? So, what's wrong? I guess what I don't like is: he (like many other pianists) frequently adopts a very sharp staccato and uses it uniformly throughout phrases (especially in the left hand), like some imaginary tonal "registration" on the piano. Maybe I'm just predisposed to dislike that touch: it sounds good to me in Nancarrow's player piano studies, but not in Bach. I think it sounds cold, calculated, unnatural. Nobody sings (or speaks) like that, with notes (or syllables) that short.
That touch, plus his octave-higher "registration" of some repeats, plus the thundered-out bass in the French suite's gigue, plus the way every ornament and every melodic gesture is divided rationally into predictable (and absolutely even, i.e. boring) rhythmic patterns...all together, his performance seems to me more contrived (overly pre-meditated) than freely flowing. Thorough planning is a good idea, of course, and his shaping of many phrases is gorgeous; but I still want to hear more whimsy and improvisatory play in the final result. Planning and slick practice aren't everything the music has to offer. I'd rather hear the music swing more, where not every detail is divisible by the number 2 or 3.
Maybe that's just a philosophical difference, my expectations of things Anderszewski's not inclined to deliver. He does play with that amazingly suave control, with a shining polished surface on every note. I think the musical projection would benefit if things were a mite more disorderly...not for the sake of being disorderly, but to be less predictable, more fun! |
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Piotr Jaworski wrote (October 17, 2002):
[To Bradley Lehman] Many thanks for your response - great as always! I like it a lot! Very fine comments, I mostly share.
Bradley Lehman wrote:
< I'm curious to hear how it is.
Recently I bought and reviewed Anderszewski's CD of two Mozart concertos: I liked almost everything I heard, but also I thought he seriously misinterpreted Mozart's intentions with regard to completing or improvising portions of the solo part. (Anderszewski doesn't add anything, even where Mozart left only a thin sketch.) Amazon.com >
Well.... the great artist's privilege .... to misinterpret composer's intentions .... ;-)
Seriously, as for the rest. Pianist's perception definitely varies from that of the 150% amateur, naive music lover and ordinary "listener".I'll listen to that recording (the Bach one) again with your remarks at hand. What you write below is - in my opinion - one of the key issues of performing JSB keyboard music today. Orderly and even 'mathematically' or rather disorderly - with all those joyful moods, charming dances etc., etc.
Nevertheless .... Anderszewski is still pretty young, still at the beginning of his career. One can say that it started for good from the contract with Virgin - even not two years ago? I'm very much convinced that he will be among the brightest stars in our pianistic heaven, and knowing from his interviews that he will be frequently returning to Bach, we will have lot's of to enjoy! |
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Piotr Anderszewski : Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings: Piotr Anderszewski’s Bach | Review: Bach Partitas Anderszewski | Bach’s keyboard Partitas from Piotr Anderszewski
Discussions of Instrumental Recordings: Partitas BWV 825-830 - played by Piotr Anderszewski |
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