The 48

[DoctorT]

I suppose he means having a cup of tea as opposed to listening to the radio - given your antipathy to piano-based Bach.

Though why DoctorT believes tea-drinking and radio-listening can't happen at the same time escapes me...

Indeed! More of a coffee man myself, actually. Go on Waldhorn, give it a listen...

[vinteuil]

... well - this Schiff I certainly enjoyed more than his previous [1984/1985] recording.

(and it is of course miles better than the namby-pamby Hewitt.)

But still - when there are so many fine harpsichord recordings...

[Nick Armstrong]

(and it is of course miles better than the namby-pamby Hewitt.)

I've been too reticent to criticise St Angela .... but I have never enjoyed her playing either.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What a marvellous albeit idiosyncratic service

Hope the newer, better hearing aids are strutting their splendid stuff for you very soon, ammie!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I knew there was something else!

According to Presto's blurb: "In an interesting variation in performance practice, Konstantin Lifschitz combines the two books of the Well-Tempered Clavier by following each prelude and fugue from Book I with the corresponding prelude and fugue from Book II, thus keeping the key signatures together and creating a steady progression through the scale to the end of the series"

Am I alone in being surprised and intrigued by this?

No, you're not! It sounds like a Heston Blumenthal recipe: seems revolting when you first hear about it, then so intriguing you want to try it! It might just work, but I imagine it'll be very odd not hearing the c minor Preludes following the C major Fugues.

[Flay]

...send me a form which I should take to my GP who would sign it and then fax it back to the hospital...

Your GP might want to save some money and refuse to sign it. The government want to give us more control of the purse strings....

[VodkaDilc]

The sound quality on the Fellner YouTube video is a bit ropey. I have found this often happens with uploads - I expect people try to tweak the levels and boost the volume. I would hope the ECM disc is much higher quality.

ECM CDs are mostly excellent. I've just received Lubimov's discs of the Debussy Preludes, played on a 1925 Bechstein and a 1913 Steinway. It received good reviews, so I'm looking forward to exploring the set.

[Thropplenoggin]

If, like me, you long believed yourself to be allergic to harpsichords, I would recommend giving Luc Beausejour's Book One a try on Naxos. I've been enjoying it so much on Qobuz that I just ordered it for the bargain price of £1 from the Amazon Marketplace.

A lovely sound and delightful playing. His Goldberg Variations are equally warm-toned and not at all skeletally plinkified.

[MickyD]

Another recommendation for harpsichordphobes from me would be the latest release from Christophe Rousset of pièces de claveçin by Duphly. The instrument (Christian Kroll), the music and the playing are gorgeous.

[Pianorak]

If, like me, you long believed yourself to be allergic to harpsichords, I would recommend giving Luc Beausejour's Book One a try on Naxos. I've been enjoying it so much on Qobuz that I just ordered it for the bargain price of £1 from the Amazon Marketplace.

A lovely sound and delightful playing. His Goldberg Variations are equally warm-toned and not at all skeletally plinkified.

Thanks for that. I really must try and overcome my allergies; not too much of a hardship at that price!

[John Shelton]

Another recommendation for harpsichordphobes from me would be the latest release from Christophe Rousset of pièces de claveçin by Duphly. The instrument (Christian Kroll), the music and the playing are gorgeous.

Christophe Rousset's new(ish) Louis Couperin discs are miraculous in playing, sumptuous in sound (harpsichord Louis Denis 1658 restored by Reinhard von Nagel 2004-5) http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/A...5C3%25A9/AP006

Also recent Benjamin Alard playing the 6 harpsichord partitas on an Anthony Sidey harpsichord should change some minds http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sea...+bach+partitas

[Barbirollians]

Why on earth do you want to have a recording of an important body of works, played on an instrument that JS Bach would not have recognised?

When they are played by Edwin Fischer . A legendary recording that lives up to its status.

[silvestrione]

I heard on Essential Classics while in the car a couple of weeks ago a Gary Cooper (I think...it was near noon though) on harpsichord playing the D Major from Bk 1, with delightful freedom and character, I thought. Anyone know this player and his recordings?

[Richard Tarleton]

I heard on Essential Classics while in the car a couple of weeks ago a Gary Cooper (I think...it was near noon though) on harpsichord playing the D Major from Bk 1, with delightful freedom and character, I thought. Anyone know this player and his recordings?

Yes indeed - among his many accomplishments, Rachel Podger's partner on her excellent complete Mozart keyboard and violin sonatas on Channel Classics.

[Bryn]

I heard on Essential Classics while in the car a couple of weeks ago a Gary Cooper (I think...it was near noon though) on harpsichord playing the D Major from Bk 1, with delightful freedom and character, I thought. Anyone know this player and his recordings?

I have his Beethoven Op. 120 and find it much to my taste. I do not (yet) know his 48. Anybody here know what tuning he used?