Barenboim Plays Bach
Posted by: Todd A on 07 March 2005
With two recent-ish releases of Book I of Bach’s 48, it was only a matter of time until I bought one. But which one? Daniel Barenboim is an oft-recorded artist who I am familiar with while Till Fellner is new to me. Well, the deciding factor was cost: since I was able to pick up Barenboim’s set on the cheap, that’s what I went with.
The obvious question is: how does he handle Bach? I’ve not heard his Goldbergs yet, so this is my first encounter with his take on Bach, and I must say that I am pleased. With qualifications. The most immediate and overriding qualification is that Barenboim’s approach is decidedly romantic, emphasizing the harmonic and tonal beauty to be had while downplaying the contrapuntal nature of the fugues and the potentially dance-like zeal in some of the preludes. That will kill this set for many, but not for me. The other major qualification is that Barenboim’s is a decidedly pianistic approach, taking full advantage of the modern piano, including some hefty use of the sustain pedal from time to time. If the first qualification didn’t kill it for all, this latter qualification will for many more, but not for me. One need go no further than the first prelude to hear the qualities he brings. If you like it, this set is for you; if not, avoid it.
Helped by ravishingly beautiful recorded sound (if more distant and resonant than I usually prefer) and a lovely sounding piano, Barenboim presents these pieces as washes of color and harmony. Rarely does he really hammer home an idea. Rarely does he adopt an especially brisk or excessively slow tempo. He never produces an unpleasant sound. There are certainly moments where he lets his fingerwork excite if not dazzle, and every so often he produces some weighty left-hand chords, taking full advantage of the piano’s range. Think of his approach as Bach viewed through the prism of late Brahms.
No, this is not my favorite approach to Bach’s great work – that honor goes to Edwin Fischer – and I doubt I’ll spin this set to really hear what these pieces can offer, but on its own terms and recognizing Barenboim’s approach, I rather fancy it. Approach with caution if at all. I think I should go for Fellner in the near future. You know, just because.
The obvious question is: how does he handle Bach? I’ve not heard his Goldbergs yet, so this is my first encounter with his take on Bach, and I must say that I am pleased. With qualifications. The most immediate and overriding qualification is that Barenboim’s approach is decidedly romantic, emphasizing the harmonic and tonal beauty to be had while downplaying the contrapuntal nature of the fugues and the potentially dance-like zeal in some of the preludes. That will kill this set for many, but not for me. The other major qualification is that Barenboim’s is a decidedly pianistic approach, taking full advantage of the modern piano, including some hefty use of the sustain pedal from time to time. If the first qualification didn’t kill it for all, this latter qualification will for many more, but not for me. One need go no further than the first prelude to hear the qualities he brings. If you like it, this set is for you; if not, avoid it.
Helped by ravishingly beautiful recorded sound (if more distant and resonant than I usually prefer) and a lovely sounding piano, Barenboim presents these pieces as washes of color and harmony. Rarely does he really hammer home an idea. Rarely does he adopt an especially brisk or excessively slow tempo. He never produces an unpleasant sound. There are certainly moments where he lets his fingerwork excite if not dazzle, and every so often he produces some weighty left-hand chords, taking full advantage of the piano’s range. Think of his approach as Bach viewed through the prism of late Brahms.
No, this is not my favorite approach to Bach’s great work – that honor goes to Edwin Fischer – and I doubt I’ll spin this set to really hear what these pieces can offer, but on its own terms and recognizing Barenboim’s approach, I rather fancy it. Approach with caution if at all. I think I should go for Fellner in the near future. You know, just because.