J.S. Bach
Recommended Recordings

Well-Tempered Clavier, Inventions & Sinfonias, Goldberg Variations

Main Performer
or Conductor:		Helmut Walcha
Instrumentation:Harpsichord
Individual Works:Das wohltemperierte Klavier, Teil 1 und 2, Inventionen und Sinfonien, Goldberg Variationen
Format:Compact Disc
Record Label:EMI Classics
Catalog Number:7243 4 89161 2
Year Released/Recorded:1961
Total Playing Time:approx 6 hours
Comments:Dorothea Schulz said:

A CD box (5 CDs) with the main warks for harpsichord. Quite an old recording, but definitely my favourite one, Helmut Walche plays Bach as noe one else. I'm glad they are released on CD as my LPs are a bit worn...

Dr. L. Beyerle said:

Helmut Walcha plays on the harpsichord, not on the piano. Bach`s music is written for harpsichord, not for piano, as Bach didn`t know this instrument.
The recording is unique.

Patrick Leevers said:

For me, Walcha's recordings of the '48' detonated a passion for Bach which has lasted twenty-five years, during which I have studied many other recordings of them. Rediscovering Walcha's 1960 recordings through this immaculate remastering on CD has been a revelation. This is Bach in the 'motoric' style and with the big harpsichord sound of the sixties. Nevertheless, Walcha's youthful energy, perfect contrapuntal clarity and intellectual rigour give the music an incredible physical excitement which more authentic instruments and performance styles can easily lose. Essential!

Acknowledgements:Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments:
  • Dorothea Schulz
  • Dr. L. Beyerle
  • Patrick Leevers
Date First Submitted:07/08/1999
Purchasing:Suggested Purchasing Sources
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