Miguel Muelle writes:

>I was slightly confused by your mention of Leonhardt, since he records
>only on harpsichord (AFAIK).  Am I wrong or are you simply comparing the
>interpretations, albeit on different instruments.  If so, is that "fair"?

Most certainly.  My primary reason for bringing up Leonhardt's Bach
performances on harpsichord was to comment that both he and Leonhardt
are masters at conveying the inevitability of Bach's music.  Inevitability
is not a product of the instrument used, but a product of the musical
approach and execution of the performer.  In macro-terms, it requires a
long view of musical progression, and its micro-elements are rhythmic
patterns, pacing, articulation, beat, etc.  These are universal qualties
not tied to any particular instrument.

In the many past reviews I have done of Bach solo keyboard music, there
are times I have used both harpsichord and piano versions for comparision.
Sometimes I only use for comparision the same type of instrument, but
that's mainly for ease of administration on my part.  A harpsichord is
not a piano, but Bach's music remains the same.

As an aside, I have a humorous anecdote revolving around Bach.  Glen
Wilson is an exceptional Bach harpsichordist whose Well Tempered Clavier
is available on Teldec (best harpsichord version on the market).  A
couple of weeks ago, Mr.  Wilson e-mailed me, asking if I would like him
to send me a copy of his recording of the Goldberg Variations that Teldec
deleted a few years ago.  Of course I said yes, and it came in the mail
within a week.  I intended to e-mail him back to let him know I received
the disc but lost his address (I lose a lot of things).

A couple of days ago, my wife answered the phone and eventually motioned
for me to take the phone.  To my great surprise, it was Glen Wilson from
Germany just checking up on whether I did receive what he sent.  After
the phone call was over, I noticed my wife chuckling non-stop.  I asked
her what was causing the laughing, and she reported that Mr.  Wilson had
asked her, "Is this the home of Don Satz, the Bach specialist"?  I had
just inhaled a gulp of orange juice, and the 'specialist' designation
made me laugh so much that the juice came flying out of my mouth and
zoomed right on to my dog's face.  My wife and I kept laughing for
about a minute.  She knows and would agree that I only consider myself
a specialist in procrastination.  In the meantime, my dog Jackson runs
for cover whenever I pour myself a glass of orange juice.

Don Satz
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