Bach’s WTC - One More Time

Donald Satz wrote (October 3, 1999):
I evidently have not had my fill of Bach's WTC, Book 1, because I found myself last night heading for Horszowski's version on Vanguard.

Right off, one major difference is the sound quality. The Vanguard was recorded in 1979-1980 and there is considerable hiss when listening with headphones. But, the performances are so fine that sound quality lessens in significance.

I had said of Schepkin that he's a great "bad-news" pianist, but Horszowski is even better and darker. He places more emphasis on the bass notes and his part playing is exceptional. To my surprise, Schepkin is the more up-lifting pianist and displays a little more joy. Each of them has much to offer even a seasoned listener. And, each of them finds very different messages in many of the pieces.

My wife has been a good sport about hearing Bach so much lately. He's definitely not her cup of tea: too dark and not entertaining enough. We're off now to see the movie "American Beauty". This is the type of movie I always enjoy; my wife's being a good sport about that too. But, I watched one of those up-lifting family films with her last night. Opposites can be a fine match.

Well Tempered Clavier Book I BWV 846-869: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
WTC I - D. Barenboim [D. Satz] | WTC I - D. Barenboim [P. Bright] | WTC I - T. Fellner | WTC I - E. Fischer | WTC I - M. Horszowski | WTC I - C. Jaccottet | WTC I - R. Kirkpatrick | WTC I - T. Koopman | WTC I - W. Landowska | WTC I - R. Levin | WTC I - O. Mustonen | WTC I - S. Richter | WTC I - S. Schepkin
Well Tempered Clavier Book II BWV 870-893: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
WTC II - D. Barenboim [P. Bright] | WTC II - G. Cooper | WTC II - F. Gulda | WTC II - A. Hewitt | WTC II - R. Kirkpatrick | WTC II - J. Middleton
Well Tempered Clavier Books I&II BWV 846-893: WTC I&II - B.v. Asperen, S. Ross & G. Wilson | WTC I&II - E. Crochet | WTC I&II - O. Dantone | WTC I&II S. Feinberg | WTC II&II - T. Nikolayeva | WTC II&II - L. Thiry [N. Halliday] | WTC I&II - Z. Ruzickova

Mieczyslaw Horszowski: Short Biography | Recordings of Non-Vocal Works
Reviews of Non-Vocal Recordings: Bach’s WTC - One More Time

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