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Date: | Sat, 14 Jul 2001 18:15:02 -0400 |
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Partita No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827
Partita No. 4 in D major, BWV 828
Naxos 8.550693 - Recorded 1992
Wolfgang Rubsam, Piano
TT 63:17
Summary for Hot & Thirsty Collector: Just what the doctor ordered
Rubsam starts the A minor Partita with a very slow and lovely Fantasia,
quite different from Tureck's incisive account on Philips. Rubsam's
highly diverse Allemande is tinged with regret; his inflections and probing
anaylsis make this the best performance on piano I've heard. There's
nothing wrong with Rubsam's Corrente, but the excitement generated by
Leonhardt's thrilling performance isn't quite to be found with Rubsam.
The Sarabande is played slowly and with much elegance and reflection, a
wonderful reading. The last three movements are excellent in Rubsam's
hands with a fine mix of strength and spontaneity.
Next on the agenda is the majestic and heroic Partita in D major. I find
this work to be the jewel in Bach's set, and the heroic elements have much
to do with my opinion. This is where Glenn Gould is at his best; he blows
away all alternative versions of the first five movements; I wish it had
been all seven, but sometimes you have to settle for the next best thing.
Presently, I am also reviewing the Partitas set from Bernard Roberts on
Nimbus. I wouldn't inflict the Roberts D major with a Gould comparison;
Roberts would wilt immediately. However, I figure that Rubsam might be
able to withstand a comparison with Gould.
Rubsam does compare well with Gould in the first five movements and
surpasses him in the Minuet and Gigue. Rubsam's is an exceptional
performance which keeps getting better with each successive movement
and culminates in a razor-sharp and transcendent Gigue. The differences
between Rubsam and Gould are large. While Gould takes the heroic route,
Rubsam takes what on the suface appears to be a variety of detours.
However, each one ties into the others, and the result is a thoroughly
illuminating version. Rubsam does the unexpected again and again; each
time I am convinced. This reminds me of how Richter takes Schubert apart
and then builds him back up in Richter's image. Rubsam's D major is a
revelation not to be missed.
Don's Conclusions: Another essential acquisition from Rubsam. His
performances are creative, thought-provoking, and diverse. These are
great interpretations which rank with the best.
Don Satz
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