Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750) Solo Keyboard Works Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor BWV 903 Italian Concerto BWV 971 French Suites BWV 812 & 813 Naxos 8.550709 - Recorded 1991 Wolfgang Rubsam, Piano TT 55:24 Summary for the Skeptical Collector: Take the plunge Over the years, Naxos has been using the services of Wolfgang Rubsam for the majority of its solo keyboard Bach recordings. As I remember, the reviews have not been particularly kind to Rubsam. Dave Lampson recently referred to Rubsam's performances as "workmanlike", and that opinion seems to cover the feelings of most reviewers. However, Naxos discs are so inexpensive that I thought I'd pick up a few of Bach/Rubsam on piano. In addition to the disc cited above, I'll be reviewing three other Rubsam issues in future postings. I'll first address the sound quality of the disc at hand. The sound is low on bass response and richness. Appropriate adjustments of the audio controls help alleviate the situation; use of an equalizer totally eliminates the problem without creating any negatives. Given the success of the adjustment routine, I don't have any complaints about the recorded sound. The French Suite BWV 812 provides a fine example of Rubsam's style. I compared his version to the one from Gavrilov on his EMI set of the French Suites, and the differences are pronounced. Gavrilov places high priority on forward momentum except in the Sarabande where his very slow pacing adds to the depth of his lovely reading. Gavrilov does not allow the emphasis on momentum to detract from the tenderness and emotional themes. Still, he stays on the main road and always looks forward. In contrast, Rubsam is not concerned at all with a so-called main road; he alters dynamics, accenting, rhythm, and tempo based on what I assume to be a thorough analysis of the music. Rubsam sounds rather spontaneous and quite good. Being a 'momentum' man, I do prefer the Gavrilov performance but am impressed with Rubsam. His playing is not ordinary nor mainstream. It's distinctive and very enjoyable and enlightening. It could even be that Rubsam would have more lasting power than Gavrilov because of the greater variety. For Rubsam's French Suite BWV 813, my comparison was the excellent Angela Hewitt version on her Hyperion set of the French Suites. Again, Rubsam is less seamless and more varied than most alternatives. I like Rubsam's C minor performance even more than his D minor; the Allemande is played ever so slow and frequently tugs at the heart. Actually, my only reservation concerning Rubsam's readings of the two Suites is that I would have liked significantly stronger projection in the second part of both Menuets. Other than that, these are very pleasureable interpretations. The Italian Concerto is a more demonstrative and stronger work than either of the French Suites. Rubsam didn't show any inclination for strong volume in his readings of the Suites; does he make the adjustments for the first and third movements of the Italian Concerto? No problem. Rubsam is sufficiently strong in the first movement while maintaining his regimen of horizontal expressiveness. It's in the third movement where Rubsam really lets his hair down and provides one exciting reading loaded with momentum; this is as good a performance as Hewitt's, Gould's, or any other pianist's. I do have a reservation about the second movement. Rubsam's right hand playing is wonderful, but he uses a slight and soft staccato throughout in the lower registers which I feel reduces the level of conversation in the movement. For a magical Andante, look no further than Hewitt on her DG Bach recital disc. Overall, this is another fine accomplishment for Rubsam. The remaining work on the disc is the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor. This famous Bach composition requires even more strength than the Italian Concerto; it also gives the performer a host of opportunites for a wide range of interpretive flexiblilty. Rubsam meets all challenges with a strong reading of fine expressiveness; my only qualm is that I thought that would be a little more imaginative. Don's Conclusions: This is a very fine set of performances from Wolfgang Rubsam. They are highly expressive and distinctive, particularly in the two French Suites. The readings are a little on the romantic side from time to time but not enough to reduce the rewards of the listening experience. Further, it's great to have one or more special performances on a recording, and Rubsam gives us two in the Allemande from the C minor French Suite and the third movement of the Italian Concerto. I think the disc would make a fine addition to anyone's library at premium price. Given the Naxos price, there's no reason to hesitate. Don Satz [log in to unmask]