Gil Shaham - Bach - Sonatas And Partitas on CD

Description

These works have been part of Shaham's concert programmes for over 10 years and for this recording he has decided on a 'more Baroque set-up' opting for a Baroque bridge, Baroque bow and 3 of 4 strings being gut. When asked what effect this set-up has on his interpretation Gil indicated that 'it changes every stroke, but it doesn't really change general ideas of interpretation. You can do everything with both sets of bow and bridge, although some things are easier with the modern bow, some with the Baroque one. The "small softness" (coined by Leopold Mozart) is easier with the Baroque bow.' The tempos Gil Shaham has settled on in this recording are also quite different from what one might expect. Shaham takes inspiration from other works by Bach, as he explains; 'if you compare the French minuet from Partita No.3, with say the minuet from a French suite, or even the famous 'Anna Magdalena' minuet I found myself asking myself wouldn't it work better at the same tempo as the others? The Baroque bow is lighter and is easier to play faster.' The deluxe package comes complete with Shaham's insightful views on these works in discussion with former Strad Magazine editor Ariane Todes. Gil Shaham remains second to none in the masterworks of the mainstream violin repertoire, and here offers a recording of bold originality in what is one the most unforgiving of old-school challenges: that of playing solo Bach. Review ...Violinist Gil Shaham has taken up Baroque-style bow and gut strings, but this is no typical period style. Long years of playing Bach's six great solo works for violin have led Shaham to a personal and free way of playing, as if he is improvising ... there is much detail and nimble, sensitive violin playing on the way.' Ft, 13/3/15 /// Shaham's application of vibrato is carefully controlled and thoughtfully applied. And his tone is warm and communicative. Shaham's playing is so clean, clear and precise, and the thought behind everything he plays so unassailable, that to listen to it is to feel safe with music ...it is impossible to listen to it without having a positive artistic experience. Gramophone, Mar'15 /// Gil Shaham has known Bach's Sonatas and Partitas all his life but incorporated them into his concert programmes only recently. He has recorded them following his residency last summer with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Despite the majestic, luxurious tone he produces on the 1699 Countess Polignac Stradivarius, he has made concession to period style with a baroque bridge and bow and three of the four strings being gut. Tempi are fast easier to negotiate on a lighter, baroque bow and vibrato, though audible, is more restrained. He brings out inner voices vividly, though the ornamentation may be too fussy for some. The mighty Chaconne sounds almost too robust, but his sense of structure is never in doubt. Shaham has thought hard about these works (as an essay in the liner notes confirms) and his technique is flawless. He has a particular gift for ending each movement: thoughtful, and in apt conclusion to what has gone before. Shaham opts for a more Baroque set-up with its distinctive timbre and lighter bow strokes, which wouldn't matter much if the musical approach wasn't so thoughtful, but it is. Shaham likes the way Bach's dance music swings with the slightly faster tempos... Musically I have been finding a lot to enjoy and admire in these performances... and quite serendipitously a good choice for Bach's 330th birthday today.' 

Tracks

Sonata for solo violin No.1, BWV 1001
Sonata for solo violin No.1, BWV 1001
Sonata for solo violin No.1, BWV 1001
Sonata for solo violin No.1, BWV 1001
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Partita for solo violin No.1, BWV 1002
Sonata for solo violin No. 2, BWV 1003
Sonata for solo violin No. 2, BWV 1003
Sonata for solo violin No. 2, BWV 1003
Sonata for solo violin No. 2, BWV 1003
Partita for solo violin No.2, BWV 1004
Partita for solo violin No.2, BWV 1004
Partita for solo violin No.2, BWV 1004
Partita for solo violin No.2, BWV 1004
Partita for solo violin No.2, BWV 1004
Sonata for solo violin No.3, BWV 1005
Sonata for solo violin No.3, BWV 1005
Sonata for solo violin No.3, BWV 1005
Sonata for solo violin No.3, BWV 1005
Partita for solo violin No.3, BWV 1006
Partita for solo violin No.3, BWV 1006
Partita for solo violin No.3, BWV 1006
Partita for solo violin No.3, BWV 1006
Partita for solo violin No.3, BWV 1006
Partita for solo violin No.3, BWV 1006