Donald Satz wrote (December 12, 2000):
Koroliov is gradually traversing his way through Bach's solo keyboard works. Reviews in periodicals have been highly complimentary, and I take no issue with them. Any Bach recording by Koroliov certainly deserves exploration. His most recent recording offers the two and three part inventions on Hanssler 92106. For comparison, I used Gould on Sony and Peter Serkin on RCA; both are excellent piano versions.

Koroliov holds up well to Gould and Serkin. He is exciting in the faster inventions, consistently finds the music's core and depth, and enjoys a superb recorded sound. Koroliov's performances are on the serious side with reduced playfulness, an approach which might not be appreciated by some listeners. My feeling is that the music easily accomodates Koroliov's more austere style which brings with it a greater degree of mystery and depth.

This reduced playfulness is well displayed in the two-part inventions in E major and B flat major. At the same time, Koroliov gives these pieces a mystery and poignancy which makes the readings distinctive. The two-part A major/minor inventions are good examples of the excitement Koroliov generates with a high degree of musicality.

Koroliov continues his high level of performance in the three-part inventions. The E major and G major inventions are thrilling experiences. The more melancholy and serious inventions are fully vested and idiomatic. A delicious degree of playfulness even permeates Kroliov's performance of the B flat major invention; the first few bars are transcendent.

Actually, Koroliov and Serkin share a common bond in the seriousness of their interpretations, although Serkin is more poetic and Koroliov more powerful and visceral.

Don's Conclusion: Koroliov is a fine choice for a first version of the Inventions on piano. I do think that Gould and Serkin are more distinctive than Koroliov; that could factor into the buying decison of a seasoned collector who already has Gould and Serkin. The basic consideration is that each of these three recordings should provide great pleasure.

Inventions & Sinfonias BWV 772-801: Details
Recordings: Until 1950 | 1951-1960 | 1961-1970 | 1971-1980 | 1981-1990 | 1991-2000 | From 2001
Reviews of Individual Recordings: I&S - B. van Asperen & E. Joyé | I&S - C. Jaccottet | I&S - E. Koroliov | I&S - G. Leonhardt
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2

Evgeni Koroliov: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings: Bach’s Two and Three Part Inventions from Koroliov | Bach Keyboard Works From Koroliov (4 Parts)