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J.S. Bach: The Six Partitas

Angela Hewitt (piano)

Awards:

Everything has been deeply considered. Everything works. Hewitt makes a beautiful, limpid sound; her ornaments are exquisitely precise as well as sounding natural; she uses the subtle shadings...

J.S. Bach: The Six Partitas

Angela Hewitt (piano)

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2 CDs

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44.1 kHz, 16 bit, FLAC/ALAC/WAV

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320 kbps, MP3

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This release includes a digital booklet

Stream now lossless, 44.1 kHz, 16 bit

Awards:

Everything has been deeply considered. Everything works. Hewitt makes a beautiful, limpid sound; her ornaments are exquisitely precise as well as sounding natural; she uses the subtle shadings...

About

Astonishingly, the Six Partitas for Clavier were the first works Bach published – after more than twenty years of composing. 'Opus 1' (as he called it) was 'offered to music lovers in order to refresh their spirits' and the works scored an immediate hit, becoming core repertoire for keyboard players both professional and amateur. 'Partita' is simply another name for a suite of dance movements, and each of these collections combines grace, agility and sprightliness with a nobleness of spirit which makes them not only accessible and attractive, but also worthy in every way of their position in the Clavierübung – Bach's own summation of his compositional skills.

Contents and tracklist

I. Praeludium
Track length1:49
II. Allemande
Track length3:04
III. Corrente
Track length3:13
IV. Sarabande
Track length4:32
V. Menuet I – Menuet II – Menuet I da capo
Track length3:08
VI. Giga
Track length2:19
I. Sinfonia: Grave adagio – Andante – [Allegro]
Track length4:35
II. Allemande
Track length4:27
III. Courante
Track length2:28
IV. Sarabande
Track length3:16
V. Rondeaux
Track length1:39
VI. Capriccio
Track length3:49
I. Ouverture – [Allegro]
Track length6:28
II. Allemande
Track length8:35
III. Courante
Track length3:42
IV. Aria
Track length2:17
V. Sarabande
Track length5:47
VI. Menuet
Track length1:31
VII. Gigue
Track length3:58
I. Fantasia
Track length2:04
II. Allemande
Track length2:57
III. Corrente
Track length3:09
IV. Sarabande
Track length3:56
V. Burlesca
Track length2:17
VI. Scherzo
Track length1:10
VII. Gigue
Track length3:24
I. Praeambulum
Track length2:17
II. Allemande
Track length4:01
III. Corrente
Track length1:54
IV. Sarabande
Track length4:58
V. Tempo di Minuetta
Track length1:42
VI. Passepied
Track length1:53
VII. Gigue
Track length4:09
I. Toccata – [Fugue]
Track length7:11
II. Allemande
Track length3:27
III. Corrente
Track length4:48
IV. Air
Track length1:34
V. Sarabande
Track length7:24
VI. Tempo di Gavotta
Track length2:03
VII. Gigue
Track length6:04

Awards and reviews

Classic CD

Everything has been deeply considered. Everything works. Hewitt makes a beautiful, limpid sound; her ornaments are exquisitely precise as well as sounding natural; she uses the subtle shadings and variations of volume possible on the piano without swamping the music. Technically the paying is faultless ... superbly poised, light and joyous. Indeed, that would sum up the entire set

2010

If Bach is to be played on the piano, this is the kind of way to do it. Inherent in all Hewitt's playing is a rhythmic vitality, always under control, that sweeps you along with its momentum, subtly varied articulation, dynamics that follow the natural rise or fall of phrases without exaggerations, an appreciation of Bach's harmonic tensions, an ability to differentiate between the strength of contrapuntal lines, and an unfailing clarity of texture.
This is a sane and sensible interpretation, deeply musicianly and devoid of eccentricity.
Her attitude, rather like Toscanini's, is to accept the text com' è scritto and then to make legitimate adjustments, so we get double-dotting and assimilation of rhythms. Technically she's immaculate, with the cleanest possible ornaments.
In the great E minor Sarabande Hewitt is justifiably emotional, without becoming soggy: only in the first half of the A minor Allemande is there a hint of coyness. No, the whole disc gives unalloyed pleasure.
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