Hewitt Bach arrangements

A-1	Bach Arrangements
Bach-d'Albert: Passacaglia in C minor, BWV 582, transcribed for piano [11:45] Bach-Bauer: Aria for Soprano (Mvt. 3) from Cantata BWV 127, transcribed for piano [5:29] Bach-Berners: Chorale prelude In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729, transcribed for piano [2:01] Bach-Cohen: Chorale Ertödt uns durch dein Güte (Mvt. 5) from Cantata BWV 22, transcribed for piano [2:28] Bach-Hess: Chorale Jesu, joy of man’s desiring (Mvt. 10) from Cantata BWV 147, transcribed for piano [3:50] Bach-Hewitt: Chorale Prelude Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614, transcribed for piano [2:40] Bach-Hewitt: Chorale Prelude Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641, transcribed for piano [2:29] Bach-Hewitt: Chorale Prelude Alle Menchen müssen sterben, BWV 643, transcribed for piano [3:15] Bach-Howe: Aria for Soprano Schafe können sicher weiden (Mvt. 9) from Cantata BWV 208, transcribed for piano [5:47] Bach-Howells: Chorale Prelude O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde gross, BWV 622, transcribed for pianos [5:24] Bach-Ireland: Chorale Prelude Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn, BWV 648, transcribed for piano [1:20] Bach-Kempff: Sinfonia (Mvt. 1) from Cantata BWV 29, transcribed for piano [4:01] Bach-Kempff: Siciliano in G minor from Flute Sonata BWV 1031, transcribed for piano [3:54] Bach-Kempff: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 659, transcribed for piano [5:43] Bach-Kempff: Wacht auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645, transcribed for piano [4:18] Bach-Kempff: Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 639, transcribed for piano [2:48] Bach-Walton: Chorale Prelude Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727, transcribed for piano [2:36]
Angela Hewitt (piano)
Hyperion		Apr 2001	CD / TT: 69:57
Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London, England. Review: New Album by Angela Hewitt Buy this album at: Amazon.com

Peter Bright wrote (August 15, 2001):
I have recently purchased Angela Hewitt's Hyperion CD of Bach arrangements for piano (including those by Wilhelm Kempff (5), Mary Howe (1), the obligatory Myra Hess (1), Lord Berners (1), William Walton (1), John Ireland (1), Herbert Howells (1), Harriet Cohen (1), Harold Bauer (1), Eugen d'Albert (1) and Hewitt herself (3).

Fellow members have sometimes found Hewitt's Bach to be rather timid, with insufficient gravitas in places. I think she must be aware of such criticism as, on this disc, she hammers the message home in places (Passacaglia in C minor, Sinfonia in D major - (cantata BWV 29)). I don't mean this in a negative way - her playing in the main is really quite thrilling. The Kempff transcriptions (apart from track 1 which is disappointing) are particularly well played - at least one of these pieces was released a year or two ago in the Busoni flavour by Perahia (Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645). Hewitt plays it very differently to Perahia - where he is measured and controlled in volume and tempo, she is far more variable in her approach throughout the piece. The most famous pieces are "Sheep may safely graze (cantata BWV 208)" and "Jesu joy.." (BWV 147). I have always found Hess's adaptation from BWV 147 rather austere but I had not heard the former movement adapted for piano (by Mary Howe). Very beautiful - It incorporates the preceding recitative into the piece before gently launching into the melody we know so well.

All in all, a terrific, refreshing and highly listenable experience. Ironically, Gramophone, champion of all things Hewitt, gave it a rather lukewarm appraisal - I'd say they've got their knickers in a twist. Give it a test drive and I'm confident that you'll make the purchase. BUT, the first selection is the weakest - I tend to program my CD player to start at track 2, the gorgeous Siciliano in G minor (from flute sonata in E flat (BWV 1031).

Angela Hewitt: Short Biography | Recordings of Non-Vocal Works
Reviews of Non-Vocal Recordings: A Stunning New Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 / Bach Recording for 1999 | Review: Toccatas played by Angela Hewitt | Hewitt’s English Suites | Review: Hewitt’s Goldberg Variations | Angela Hewitt Bach’s Recital Disc on Hyperion | Hewitt Bach arrangements [Bright] | New Album by Angela Hewitt [McElhearn]

Piano Transcriptions: Composer/Arranger: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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Last update: ýFebruary 2, 2008 ý15:45:31