What do you think of Richter playing Das Wohltemperierte Klavier?

[lelle]

Hello!
I recently got the complete WTK book 1 recorded by Richter, and I have to say it is the best set of recordings I have ever been able to find of this amazing work. I really enjoy his work with the sound/moods/textures, and his contrapunctual playing is amazing.

Have you heard these recordings, and what do you think of them? Are they the definite WTK recordings, or are there better out there (personally I don't give much for Gould)?

If you haven't heard them, a lot of the recordings can be found in a playlist on YouTube,

st?p=9152C783D22D5468

[cloches_de_geneve]

I have Richter's and I think it is unsurpassed. Gould's pales in comparison.

[omar_roy]

I like Richter's Bach a lot.  Also check out Andras Schiff and Angela Hewitt.  They are considered some of the foremost interpreters of Bach today.

[lontano]

Many recordings I have heard, but none surpass Richter's. It is one of my top favorite recordings of any great work for piano by any composer. Then, again, few pianists surpass Richter's best work in any category. Of course, these are my own opinions. I wouldn't have such an outrageously vast collection of music if I just stuck to my favorite performers. 

L. 

[gep]

Personal favorites: Landowska on harpsichord nad (just discevered) Feinberg on piano.

I wouldn't have such an outrageously vast collection of music if I just stuck to my favorite performers.

Amen....
I wonder how long the floors will still hold....

[lontano]

Very interesting choices. I prefer the piano over harpsichord, and only recently discovered Feinberg as a composer, but I may just see what he had to offer (if the recording is reasonably clear).

[retrouvailles]

Very interesting choices. I prefer the piano over harpsichord, and only recently discovered Feinberg as a composer, but I may just see what he had to offer (if the recording is reasonably clear).

I would say that in addition to Feinberg being a veritable interpreter of the WTC, he was quite an amazing composer. I would daresay that his piano sonatas are some of the most important of the first half of the 20th century.

[motet]

ı strogly recommend Edwin Fischer and especially Friedrich Gulda recordings of WTC. Of course,Richter playing may also be very good but unfortunately I did not listened to it

[leew]

ı strogly recommend Edwin Fischer and especially Friedrich Gulda recordings of WTC. Of course,Richter playing may also be very good but unfortunately I did not listened to it

I listen to both Friedrich Gulda and Richter. Some of them I think Richter interpretation is better and others, Gulda is better. We are lucky we can listen to both. Both of them give unique perspective.

[jcabraham]

Richter is great, if you can't have Leonhardt or Scott Ross.

Actually, Richter is the guy who made me like the WTC played on the piano. Normally I prefer the harpsichord.

[pianisten1989]

I think he's boring... "Look, I can play the theme really really loud, and everything else really really quiet! " It's okey to do that in the presentation, but he just keeps doing it..

[vviola]

Which recordings of the WTC do you like, pianisten?

[argerichfan]

Thumbs up for Richter.  The only recording I own on piano. 

[pianisten1989]

I don't listen to wtk that often. Since Bach is so very individual, I haven't really found anyone that I really enjoy. I'll be back later, when I've decided.

[prongated]

I think he's boring... "Look, I can play the theme really really loud, and everything else really really quiet! " It's okey to do that in the presentation, but he just keeps doing it..

Interesting...I have heard nothing but great things about Richter's WTK recordings, until now...I'll have to listen to them myself I suppose...

...incidentally, a wonderful set I came across during a road trip with friends is by Edwin Fischer. Old recording, but some really wonderful pianism is easily evident.

[gert]

Richter's recording of the WTC is magnificent: I can never get enough of the nuances in every single voice. Like many people, I was introduced to Bach through Gould's recordings, but I just can't listen to them anymore: everything sounds the same. I'd say Murray Perahia's recording of the Goldberg Variations is in the same league as Richter's WTC: it has the same richness and lack of posturing. Both are supreme musicians, not just virtuosos. Incidentally, one of my favorite things on Richter's recording of Book I is the clearly audible sparrows in the courtyard of the castle where he was playing. Somehow that captures Richter's spirit perfectly for me: just play, no grandstanding, no ego; just the music.