Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Album: András Schiff Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Clavier (ECM New Series)

 

Andy Gill
Thursday 13 September 2012 13:31 BST
Comments

The Hungarian pianist András Schiff admits he now dislikes the sentimentality of some of his earlier Bach recordings; and this one is certainly clear of such emotional indulgences.

But there's abundant energy nonetheless: it's not as exacting an interpretation as Roger Woodward's scholarly acknowledgement of historical changes in instrumental tempi, compared with which Schiff dashes through the C minor Prelude in almost indecent haste, as permitted by modern pianos without falling foul of the crowding reverberations of the harpsichord. The result is a supremely classical rendition of one of classical music's keynote works, blessed with an almost transparent clarity.

Download:Praeludien und Fugen 1-48

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in