Simone Dinnerstein’s Bach: A Strange Beauty will rile some Bach purists. Dinnerstein plays with verve and passion that goes against the grain of traditional Bach interpretations of these works. Dinnerstein, with the Kammerorchester Staatskapelle Berlin, play these pieces with such energy, it sounded like I was listening to this music for the first time. In the extensive liner notes, Dinnerstein explains why she isn’t interested in performing in a period performance practice style or playing this fabulous music in a more accepted fashion. Dinnerstein’s expressive playing and the superb sound of this CD completely captivated me. If you’re a Bach fan, you’ll want to listen to this wonderful music play with such panache. Take a listen below. GRADE: A
SET LIST
1. Choral “Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ”, BWV 639 3:40
2. Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: I. (Allegro) 3:17
3. Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo 2:56
4. Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: III. Presto 2:48
5. Choral “Nun freut euch ihr lieben Christen”, BWV 734 2:26
6. English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: I. Prélude 2:53
7. English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: II. Allemande 5:02
8. English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: III. Courante 1:59
9. English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: IV. Sarabande 4:13
10. English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: V. Gavotte I/II 2:50
11. English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808: VI. Gigue 2:20
12. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052: I. Allegro 8:00
13. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052: II. Adagio 7:16
14. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052: III. Allegro 7:13
15. Choral “Jesu, joy of man’s desiring”, BWV 147
Some day I am going to come here and find a man making music. But not bloody likely.
You and Phil would enjoy Dinnerstein’s Bach performances, Patti.
Hey, Glenn Gould certainly put his stamp on his performances. (And if you reviewed a Gould reissue, you’d pleasantly surprise Patti.)
Sadly, some performers not in Gould’s or Dinnerstein’s class can make this music sound mechanical and dull, Todd.
I’ve been fortunate in not hearing too many like that who weren’t fellow students. Rosalyn Tureck might be my default favorite (I don’t think she did any cheesecake covers, unlike most women performers for classical labels over the last thirty-plus years).
Classical music sales are so low the record companies go with sexy covers in hopes that might sell some CDs, Todd. Desperate move!
My four-year old grandson shout, “Classical music is dead” when Phil puts it on. Phil tells him he will like it some day. Hope so.
In a few years, encourage your grandson to play a musical instrument, Patti. My son Patrick played the violin and Katie played the flute. They learned to like classical music by playing it.
Right, in an other decade or two all we’ll have left is rap/hip-hop/gangsta, light pop, latin rhythm and country & western. No classical, no jazz no blues.
Small companies like NAXOS seem to be able to survive, Rick. And, classical music is popular around the world, just not in the decadent U.S.