ECM RECORDS J.S. Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Clavier (Books I & II)

As a young pianist, András Schiff earned wide esteem for his 1980s recordings of the major keyboard works of J.S. Bach; in recent years, as part of his long-term relationship with ECM, he has gone back to Bach as a sage veteran, earning more acclaim for his New Series recordings of the Goldberg Variations (2003) and the six Partitas (2009). Now, using his own Steinway, Schiff turns his focus to the 48 preludes and fugues of The Well-Tempered Clavier, making studio recordings in Lugano of both books for this 4-CD set. An iconic inspiration for composers from Mozart and Beethoven to Chopin and Brahms and beyond, The Well-Tempered Clavier has long been considered the Old Testament of the keyboard literature (with Beethoven's piano sonatas as the New Testament). In his liner notes, Paul Griffiths underscores the suitability of Bach's timeless keyboard work for the modern piano: "Bach's inquiry into so many nuances, of touch, of interplay between hands and between contrapuntal lines, of character and of expressivity, has helped form keyboard technique as we know it, and his music belongs to the instrument of Beethoven, of Chopin, of Debussy, of Kurtág - especially when that instrument is played with the mastery and sensitivity of Schiff in these performances (...) Noteworthy is his floated melody and his rhythmic sense - his realization that so much of Bach's music is song or dance. Grandeur and intimacy are also here. Wit, too." In the introduction to his ECM release of Bach's Partitas, Schiff laid out his motivation for revisiting music he first recorded two decades before: "Great music is far greater than its performers. We try our entire lives to unveil its secrets and to convey its unique message. Even if we never quite reach the imaginary goal, our many performances give us experience and knowledge that were hidden from us years ago. We form a better understanding of its structure and inner workings. Horizons broaden before our eyes." "Mr. Schiff is, in Bach, a phenomenon. He doesn't so much perform it as emit, breathe it." - New York Times Personnel: András Schiff (piano) Review 'Schiff's performance exudes his craftsmanship, elegance, sensitivity and style.' -- Scotland On Sunday, (Alexander Bryce) * * * * * 'Schiff proves yet again what a masterful musician he is...every piece dances and sparkles with life in a perfect matching of clarity with warmth. This must now be the prime recommendation for anyone wanting these works on the piano.' -- Classical Music, (Guy Weatherall) * * * * * 'I am pretty sure Schiff must be happier with this version than his youthful first attempt...you'll simply marvel at the range of colours he brings out of the music.' -- Pianist, (Marius Dawn) * * * * * 'Absolutely riveting...This recording is a massive achievement that should reward those with the patience to study and learn from Bach's supreme mastery of musical form.' -- Financial Times, (Andrew Clark) * * * * 'The clean, limpid textures of these performances are one of their most striking characteristics. Another is the sense of rightness about almost every tempo that Schiff adopts; nothing seems hurried or laboured, so that the tone of each prelude seems perfectly judged and fugues unfold naturally, with every voice given its own distinctive colouring and the space it needs.' -- The Guardian, (Andrew Clements) * * * * 'The personality on display is Bach's rather Schiff's. And full pleasure comes with close concentration as Schiff, without frills or deviation, leads us straight to the music's heart.' -- The Times, (Geoff Brown) * * * * 'Schiff's Bach sings and dances, and has a clarity derived from a mesmerising touch and an aversion to the sustain pedal...Schiff's new set doesn't replace the old; it complements it.' -- BBC Music Magazine, (Paul Riley) * * * * 'There's abundant energy...a supremely classical rendition of one of classical music's keynote works, blessed with an almost transparent clarity.' -- The Independent, (Andy Gill) * * * * 'Schiff's playing has joy and brilliance, as well as depth. Unmissable.' -- The Sunday Times (Album of the Week), (Hugh Canning) 'Schiff's new Well-Tempered Clavier reveals many instances of interpretative refinement and rethinking...Schiff remains a stimulating Bach pianist who happily refuses to rest on his discographical laurels. ECM's production team beautifully capture Schiff's timbrally distinct and superbly regulated concert grand.' -- Gramophone, (Jed Distler) 'Followers of this notably fine pianist need not hesitate, and his musicality is such that many will want to hear and possess this admirably presented set of discs. I feel privileged to have heard them.' -- International Record Review, (Robert Matthew-Walker) 'Schiff is unquestionably one of the finest Bach pianists of our time. On these four CDs he gives translucent, penetratingly considered, sensitive, often exhilarating performances.' --Piano Journal, (Michael Graubart)