This sarabande under Richter's hands... just out of understanding which could provide our physical essense of a human being... just such a cosmic music... so unbelievably deep, scary and beautiful at the same time! One of the greatest moments in music I have ever heard.
I'm just listening to this by richter for the first time and only as far as allemande, and was browsing comments as I listened.Your comment caught my eye because I was thinking about how this great pianist compared to Glenn. { I am into Courante now}. My thinking so far is that this is a bit pedestrian compared to Glenn; Glenn really knew how to bring JSB alive like no other can and I totally agree with you Richter has weight. Now Sarabande and it is Bach's genius that can write such aching in music and suspense which is beautiful and Richter must be up there as one of the best but I feel Glenn just edges it ! I like Schiff too but I have not heard him tackle this yet. I find it hard to get away from Glenn's interpretations of JSB; these guys are all brilliant and if I hadn't heard Glenn then there would be tough competition. Still listening thanks for your comment...quite captivating music..sublime. Gavotte is superb and jolly, amazing ! Bach in my opinion is Baroque jazz !
it is quite entertaining and really unique how the (flavor) of Ricther`s Bach is completely different than Gould`s Bach. It is as if we are listening to two different composers. Moreover, i find myself selecting Ricther vs. Gould depending on the mood of the day; its magnificent and only speaks to the depth and multilayeristic nature of JSB`s music ...
its absolutely correct to have his own opinion and preferences.. nobody judges you for it :) .. before descovering Richter I also thought Goulds music couldnt be topped.
In his hands, the repeated notes that start off the tuttis* in the Prelude have an unusual sustained, almost ringing quality. I haven't heard this effect before in this piece; it's quite salient; maybe it's even difficult to pull off. I don't know whether I like it or not, though. Maybe, Rusted Crust, that's what you mean by "too much pedal"? * The Prelude, I believe, is really an Italian-style concerto with alternating full "orchestra" and "solo" sections with the beginning repeated in full.
ça me semble un peu lent aussi. je suis tellement habitué à brillante version de Glenn Gould. même si on richter n est pas si éloigné que ça de glenn gould.
If you are referring to the background, it could be easily taken for New York. Just the architecture of the early 20th century. However, if you are referring to the Richter's rendition of Bach, you are completely off the target. Not everything is politics.
