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Posted by Paul S on
02-22-2008
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EMI [LP]
My copy of this record is a Japanese "audiophile" pressing of the mono EMI version, from the "Great Recordings of the Century" series. I assume from the sound that the latest dubs are also Japanese, but I can't read Japanese/characters, so who's to say for sure.
Generally, I find this "sort" of Bach is rendered in a vapid manner, but this is a noteworthy exception. Fischer is fantastic and "his" [chamber] orchestra is with him all the way. The tone is magnificant for Bach. Niether the reading nor the playing sound like any "school" of Bach I remember (Thank God), and Fischer's playing on the familiar 5th Largo and also the 3rd movement/4th is as good as any I have ever heard.
I don't know when these were originally recorded, but I think it may have been in the 50s, late in Fischer's career.
This LP will sit at the front for a while.
No doubt someone at this site knows a lot more about it.
Best regards,
Paul S
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
02-23-2008
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Bach D Minor Piano concerto is probably the greatest Piano Concerto ever was composed and I have a mental problem with it. I had my favorite performances of Bach PC1… until I head Glenn Gould did it with Leonard Bernstein leading the Columbus Symphony. That full of nervosa, psychedelic Gould’s play pretty much wiped out all my interests to anyone else play Bach PC1, living the Gould’s way as the ONLY way to play this work. I prays much become a slave of THAT play…
Unfortunately as anything else Columbia Records recorded at that time the sound was catastrophic, that lead me my mental disturbance about this performance. Each time I come to this record in a record shop I develop in myself that idiotic feeling that THIS new record might have better sound… and I but that another record. I have perhaps 20 of them – of course they all identically horrible… Still, I know if I will find another of Gould’s Bach PC1 tomorrow then I will get it… again….
BTW, here is a clip Glenn Gould plays the fragment of the first movement with Bernstein and NY Philharmonic.
Romy the caT
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Posted by Paul S on
02-23-2008
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I came within an inch of mentioning Gould in the first post but decided to leave it to Fischer, whose performances earn a dedicated post, especially as noted.
Yes, there's no way around Gould in his high manic perfection. But too much of Bach suffers from Chipmunk Sound Syndrome, and I can't sit and listen to it. I love Bach's music, but you never know when you will get drilled by Elvira Madigan, All the Mornings of the World or Hogwood & Co., let alone the endless river of thin, palid dreck heard on elevators and in Borders, Starbucks, Home Depot, etc. In fact, everyone loves Bach; you hear it all the time; no one cares how it sounds.
OTOH, the Japanese aficionados, in their own manic quest to either preserve or create upper bass/ambience, have managed to obscure a lot of Fischer's left hand work; more's the pity. The result is still listenable and musically rewarding, but my guess is that I would like the originals better.
Best regards,
Paul S
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