Gulda Plays Bach (2008)

1.Announcement
2. English Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807
-1. Prelude
-2. Allemande
-3. Courante
-4. Sarabande
-5. Bourrée I & II
-6. Gigue
3. Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971
-1. (Allegro)
-2. Andante
-3. Presto
4.Toccata in C minor, BWV 911
-Toccata
-Fugue C minor
5.English Suite No.3 in G minor, BWV 808
-1. Prélude
-2. Allemande
-3. Courante
-4. Sarabande
-5. Gavotte I - Gavotte II ou la musette
-6. Gigue
6.Capriccio in B flat, BWV 992 "On the departure of a dear brother"
-1. Arioso (Adagio)
-2. (Andante)
-3. Adagisissimo
-4. (Andante con moto)
-5. Allegro poco. Aria di Postiglione
-6. Fuga all'imitatione di posta
7.Friedrich Gulda: Prelude and Fugue
-Prelude
-Fugue

Friedrich Gulda (piano)

The earliest recorded work, the Bach C minor Toccata from 1955, is superb. Its Adagio is lyrical and flows beautifully. The fugue is masterfully played, with an imaginative echo effect in the fugue subject that becomes more and more effective as the fugue texture thickens. As the character of the lengthy fugue changes, Gulda's sound and mood changes with it. This Toccata performance ranks among the best recordings of this work and holds one's attention from beginning to end . . . Gulda's own Prelude and Fugue concludes the programme and . . . the prelude is virtuosic with many splashy arpeggio passages . . . Gulda tosses the work off effortlessly and with great flair. Overall, this CD presents a fair overview of Gulda's approach to Bach and demonstrates how that approach changed over the years. The Toccata alone may make the CD worth purchasing, though it is only ten minutes long . . . The accompanying booklet essay by the pianist's son Paul offers a personal perspective on Gulda's career and relationship to music. Recorded sound is excellent both in the studio and live performances. --- Farhan Malik, deutschegrammophon.com

For my "keyboard-Bach" I usually turn to Glenn Gould or Martha Argerich. Since Martha Argerich was a student of Friedrich Gulda, and spoke very highly of him, I was really curious about his playing of Bach. And I must say, I am really glad I discovered this CD. Compared to Gould and Argerich, his Bach is less extreme (more sensible...?) in tempi, but so full of life and rhythm. Compared to Gould, he uses more dynamics, in a very convincing way. These are quite old recordings, but sound is very acceptable. If you love Bach, and love his keyboard music, you should not be without this CD. --- Antonia Brentano, amazon.com

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