Bach - Well Tempered Clavier, Books 1 & 2 [Gulda] This 4 disc set of the full Bach 48 Preludes & Fugues is magnificent, Gulda has an incredible authority of interpretation, and these discs are highly regarded by many, i bought my set on Ebay, i forget exactly how much they cost, but it wasn't cheap, they're now re-issued cheap on a couple of Philips Duo disc sets, but i don't see this 4 disc box set very often on Ebay, and when i do it goes for a fortune, sadly my own set has lost its inner booklet and outer cardboard sleeve.
Friedrich Gulda is an Austrian Pianist, he died in 2000, and these discs were recorded in 1972-1973, it's a nice sound, though i suppose a bit restricted, slightly too much of a treble recording, it could have done with more warmth to it, but i easily got into it, the nice side picture of Gulda [by Pim Westerweel] is excellent, wonderfully sharp, showing every line and pock mark in his skin!, every crease on his brow, and every grey hair highlighted, it's a lovely shot that enhances this box set wonderfully.
I listened to this set over roughly a week [about 6 a day], and there are amazing insights to feast on, i so much enjoyed Preludes & Fugues 1-7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 21-22, 24, 26, 30-31, 33, 36, 39, 41-44 & 47-48, here are the absolute highlights in that list,
Prelude 1 [YouTube], well what can i say about the opener?, in C Major, it was inspired of Bach to place this prelude first, it's a great introduction, it's truly heavenly, very repetitive, but with subtle changes abounding [rather like the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata], it has a lovely flowing tempo to it, it's so soothing and it lifts my spirits incredibly.
Prelude 3 [YouTube], the Third Prelude is sparkly and bubbly, in C Sharp Major, but it also has a serious character to it, it's also lovely and fast, and it's really short too, lasting 1:12, starting off with lots of high treble notes, and alternates between right hand high treble, and low treble, it's incredibly infectious.
Fugue 13 [YouTube], the fugue starts at 1:43, in F Sharp Major, it's a shy piece at first, there's a lovely change at 0:24 [2:07], which creates a beautiful 'untying of knots' musically, and this returns at 1:03 [2:46], and then later at 1:27 [3:10] some glorious high treble notes are played, and it really lifts me heavenward.
Prelude 31 [YouTube], this prelude also starts off shy, in E Flat Major, and is blessed with a beautiful tune, the beginning keeps threatening to come back, but teases as so many times it doesn't, so that when it finally does [2:23], it's one of those truly sublime moments that puts me into raptures.
Altogether a set of endless discovery, each time i play these 48 there's a new gem i hadn't seen before, and Gulda is a great guide to these beauties.
Prelude 1 [YouTube], well what can i say about the opener?, in C Major, it was inspired of Bach to place this prelude first, it's a great introduction, it's truly heavenly, very repetitive, but with subtle changes abounding [rather like the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata], it has a lovely flowing tempo to it, it's so soothing and it lifts my spirits incredibly.
Prelude 3 [YouTube], the Third Prelude is sparkly and bubbly, in C Sharp Major, but it also has a serious character to it, it's also lovely and fast, and it's really short too, lasting 1:12, starting off with lots of high treble notes, and alternates between right hand high treble, and low treble, it's incredibly infectious.
Fugue 13 [YouTube], the fugue starts at 1:43, in F Sharp Major, it's a shy piece at first, there's a lovely change at 0:24 [2:07], which creates a beautiful 'untying of knots' musically, and this returns at 1:03 [2:46], and then later at 1:27 [3:10] some glorious high treble notes are played, and it really lifts me heavenward.
Prelude 31 [YouTube], this prelude also starts off shy, in E Flat Major, and is blessed with a beautiful tune, the beginning keeps threatening to come back, but teases as so many times it doesn't, so that when it finally does [2:23], it's one of those truly sublime moments that puts me into raptures.
Altogether a set of endless discovery, each time i play these 48 there's a new gem i hadn't seen before, and Gulda is a great guide to these beauties.
