Philip Peters, replying to Ron Chaplin about Milstein's Bach:

>If this is the 1974 set (or was it 1973?) it's a *must*, one of the
>best recordings of these works IMO (but there are many more as good).

It is my favourite (I am a violinist myself and Bach's S&P were everyday
bread to me), but apart from personal taste, I think that there may be
three, four versions of such greatness and scope, not more.

As Ulvi said, there are more than one version of the Sonatas and Partitas
by Milstein.  If you can afford different visions, each of his has an
interest of their own.  But arguably the last (recorded in the 70s) is
the most extraordinary.  This is not the kind of version which one could
imitate.  And at the same time, it is self-evident, as it were.  Milstein
is breathing Bach more than merely performing it, his rendition is
extremely free and yet more thoroughly rigorous and *right* than most.
Well, some youngsters will tell you that his technique was not perfect
(probably less on this side of the Atlantic, though), but this kind of
comment only shows that they have a lot to learn and reflect on about
"perfection":-)

So if it is any version by Milstein, you will not regret your money, and if
it is the last one, then do not even dream of hesitating...

Best wishes,

Thanh-Tam Le
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