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Wed, 5 Apr 2000 19:57:22 PDT |
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I wrote:
>I heard that Hanssler recently issued a new recording of Bach's Musical
>Offering. Does anyone know if modern or period instruments
>are used for the performance, and what do you think of the interpretation?
I can answer my own question since I picked up the Hanssler disc during the
lunch hour and sampled it while driving back to work. The performances are
on period instruments; most of the musicians are from the Freiburg Baroque
Orchestra which has recorded for DHM and probably other labels as well.
As for the interpretation, I haven't listened sufficiently to come to
a conclusion, but it sounds idiomatic and worth more time. I did want
to relate a relatively unusual choice of instrument. Four of the tracks
employ a fortepiano instead of the trusty harpsichord. It provides a very
different sound which is highly significant to the work.
As usual, Hanssler's cover art is a model of excellent aesthetics. Just
about every cover of theirs is tasteful and, at a minimum, attractive. The
Musical Offering cover is stunning.
Don Satz
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