WTC - small doses?

[stormx]

Hi !!

not being a big fan of Bach, but knowing that the WTC is considered a milestone for keyboard/piano music, i have finally bought it.

I find that i enjoy the music, but on SMALL DOSES...for instance, i find difficult to keep my interest for an entire CD (70 minutes aprox.). By the way, i do not get bored after an hour of Beethoven or Chopin, but it does happen with the WTC...

Do you also find that the WTC is to be consumed in small dosis, as it happens to me, or can you listen to it for hours?

On the other hand, i own the GULDA version. I think he does a pretty good job, despite never being mentionned among the Bach specialists. What do you think of him as a pianist, and about its WTC in particular?

One last thing: what are considered the HIGHLIGHTS from both books (i mean the most known and popular P and F).

Thanks !!

[steinwayguy]

well first off, I think you mean "in small doses". And yes, I agree.

Secondly, highlights (for me) from Book 1- C Major, C Minor, C-sharp Major, D Major, E-flat Minor, F Minor, A Major, A-flat Major and B-flat Major

Book 2- C-sharp Major, past that, couldn't tell you much.

[musicsdarkangel]

Ok,
there's no way you should leave out C sharp major book one, easily the hardest prelude/fugue combination and sounds great.

[rafant]

There are several gems, but the one I can suggest now is Prelude No. 24, Book 2. It's spectacular, what a rhythm!

[stormx]

SteinwayGuy, i do not understand your correction? 
(the MODIFY option is great  )

Thanks for your feedback !!! by the way, no GULDA opinion? 

[bravuraoctaves]

Hi !!

not being a big fan of Bach, but knowing that the WTC is considered a milestone for keyboard/piano music, i have finally bought it.

I find that i enjoy the music, but on SMALL DOSES...for instance, i find difficult to keep my interest for an entire CD (70 minutes aprox.). By the way, i do not get bored after an hour of Beethoven or Chopin, but it does happen with the WTC...

Do you also find that the WTC is to be consumed in small dosis, as it happens to me, or can you listen to it for hours?

On the other hand, i own the GULDA version. I think he does a pretty good job, despite never being mentionned among the Bach specialists. What do you think of him as a pianist, and about its WTC in particular?

One last thing: what are considered the HIGHLIGHTS from both books (i mean the most known and popular P and F).

Thanks !!

My favourites

Book I

No.1
No.2
No.4
No.16
No.20
No.21
No.24

[bravuraoctaves]

Do you also find that the WTC is to be consumed in small dosis, as it happens to me, or can you listen to it for hours?

Depends on what mood I am in.

Sometimes I can listen to it through over and over, but sometimes one is good enough.

[pianodoc]

Maybe if your instrument (or the recording) was tuned a little differently, you'd have a different response.  Follow the link to some interesting findings.

https://www.larips.com/

[rlefebvr]

I have tackled Prelude No1 from Book One. Who has not. Problably the best one.
Working on No 6 Prelude in D minor Book 1. That one just Rocks.

[steinwayguy]

Ok,
there's no way you should leave out C sharp major book one, easily the hardest prelude/fugue combination and sounds great.

Uh... Not at all? Yeah, great, it's hard. Really hard even. But not as hard as:

no. 8 in D#m (Book II)
no. 22 in Bbm
no. 17 in Ab (Book II)
no 4 in C#m
no. 8 in D#m
no. 20 in Am
no. 22 in Bbm (Book II)
no. 16 in Gm (Book II)
no. 23 in B (Book II)

[Motrax]

Gulda isn't my favorite for the WTC (I'm a fan of Gould), but he still gives solid readings of the pieces. Gould is pretty eccentric with his playing, so if you just want a general familiarity with the pieces, Gulda would probably better. I can't suggest any other performers (though there are tons of 'em out there) since I don't know others.

[mikeyg]

I find that the Gulda recording has alot of ornaments which my version of the WTC calls "superflous", but I find I rather like it.   especially fugue 4, book 1.  I also like the large use of stacatto which he employs. 

[Glissando]

No. 15 G Major from Book 2- it is SO beautiful.

[aquariuswb]

I quite like Keith Jarrett's recordings of book one, despite many negative reviews from critics I've read. It's very pleasant to my ears.

Haven't heard his book two, though I read that it's played on a harpsichord...

And I concur with the Gould sentiments, although I'd never listen to Gould for ANYTHING other than Bach. His B flat prelude from Book 1 is astounding. He rolls the chords slowly rather than just playing them as written, and the effect is that when I now hear other recordings of it -- including Jarrett's -- they just don't sound right.

[sznitzeln]

I have some recording with Gould, I think it is REALLY bad. Crazy staccatos and no cantabile. I get a feeling he plays everything the same way. (But his Goldberg variations are the best imo).
The best recording I have heard is of Richter... available at https://classic.manual.ru