Bach by Arrau - Partita No 1 in B flat, BWV 825 - 1, 2, 3

[Kobzar3374]

How beautiful. It has always been one of my favourite works by Bach. Even in those times when I have felt not so close to Bach's music (yes, I must confess there have been such periods in my life), I kept adoring this "Partita" and wondering why Bach should not have composed just so beautiful music like this, and abstained from composing those pieces I did not like… But who am I for judging what a genius must or must not do? Let the geniuses do their job, and let us admire it.

[MusicPredominates]

@alienalienss : This is an empty debate. 'Fastness' / 'speed' is a false commodity when it come to classical music. Such a view is childish !

[MusicPredominates]

In many ways this composition reflects much of the first partita in d minor for violin also by Bach.

[MusicPredominates]

@alienalienss :Tempo is a matter of choice. 'Speed' ... 'fastness' is no test of quality.

[warandcheese]

@alienalienss haha you are right.

[goodwin8x8]

There is only one way of discussing a performance with score in hand. The rest is superb.

[Noshirm]

I don't think age had much to do with Arrau's choice of tempo in this piece. He had favored slower tempi even when a much younger artist. It was his artistic choice to interpret the piece as he does here, I think. After all, Horszowski's WTC, recorded when he was about 89, contains some remarkably fast and dexterous interpretations. Francis Planté.was also capable of some rather quick playing when he was close to 90, too, and from all account, Saint-Saëns remained a vigorous pianist to the end!!

[301250]

He was already very old when he recorded this in 1991, the year he died,hence the quite slow speed.

[JHJennings]

Slower than most performances I've heard but nicely interpreted. A slower tempo allows all of the counterpoint to be easily appreciated and it is terrific here! Still, I think I have to play it faster.