The 48

[Guest]

I was impressed by Andras Schiff's new recording recently on CDR. I'm tempted to splash out, since I only have Jena Jando on Naxos. Which other versions should I consider, while hoping against hope that Murray Perahia, whose Goldberg Variations I play often, records them?

[Dave2002]

I'd probably go for a harpsichord version, but this might help you - http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture...es_and_fugues/

[Tony Halstead]

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?

[Nick Armstrong]

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?

Ooooh waldy.... we might fall out about this!

I love these pieces played (well) on a piano, in the same way as I love Shakespeare performed in ways (lighting, accents etc etc) that old Will would not have recognised.

I agree, DoctorT, with your OP - Schiff's recent recording is very tempting... so tempting that I gave in. Much more affordable in the download version - which is what I purchased, the mp3 format suiting me for this music. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...tails_o02__i00

[Bryn]

and



Both sets with the Bradley Lehman tuning system he 'deciphered' from Bach's squiggles on the title page of Book 1:



If you must have a percussion rather than a plucked instrument, and equal rather than well temperament, then Gulda is rather special, I feel:



and

[John Shelton]

I'd probably go for a harpsichord version, but this might help you - http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture...es_and_fugues/

Hmm.

Richard Eggar's recording follows Bradley Lehman's theory about Bach's 'temperament' (not his tendency to kick the cat when Dynamo Leipzig lost) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bpl/larips/art.html

I'd say it's an essential recording; Kenneth Gilbert's DG Archiv set is an excellent and sensitive ... presentation of the music, but may be oop. I'm very fond of Blandine Verlet's set (on Naïve) which has some interesting tunings and is freer than Gilbert in (re)presenting the music. Schiff's a wonderful pianist, but I'd always prefer to hear the music played on a harpsichord or indeed clavichord (Colin Tilney's Hyperion recording of Book I is, sadly, out of print. Not sure if Ralph Kirkpatrick's DG Archiv set of Books I and II can be had in Germany).

[AmpH]

Edwin Fischer still sounds marvellous , but its always been Richter for me

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I didn't know about the Eggar: that's going on my Christmas wish list. But the OP wants a Piano version, it would appear.

Edwin Fischer still sounds marvellous

... and I'm very fond of Gould. But if you were "impressed by Schiff", Doc, why not just buy his set?

(Which one, by the way:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-J-S-Well-Tempered-Andr%C3%A1s-Schiff/dp/B0018NUM56/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350683622&sr=8-1-fkmr0

http://www.amazon.co.uk/J-S-Bach-Wohltemperierte-Clavier-Books/dp/B008NR8YXC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350683622&sr=8-1

?)

EDIT: <doh>! Read the post: "new recording"!

[gurnemanz]

I enjoy both plucked and hammered. I love Gulda on piano, as mentioned above, + the vintage Edwin Fischer. I also have Keith Jarrett on ECM who is very good in Book 1 on piano.
After spending a bit of time deciding which plucked version to buy I went for Davitt Moroney on Harmonia Mundi and have been very happy with it. Seems to be unavailable: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Well-Tempere...0685282&sr=1-6

[Nick Armstrong]

To answer the OP's question about alternatives: my others are among those mentioned above - Egarr on harpsichord, Fischer, Jarrett and the earlier Decca recording by Schiff on the piano. I've also heard Richter but can't warm to it. I'd try all those out.

But having investied in Schiff 2 - I'd suggest you don't hesitate

[MickyD]

I've lived very happily with the Kenneth Gilbert/Archiv set for years....is it out of the catalogue now, I wonder? Would also like to hear the Egarr.

[vinteuil]

... there are many excellent recordings both on harpsichord and piano; you might like to consider Robert Levin's fine account of them on hänssler - he uses harpsichord, clavichord, organ, and fortepiano

I very much like Moroney, Schornsheim, Leonhardt on harpsichord.
Kirkpatrick on clavichord is instructive.
In their very different ways I have enjoyed Richter, Fischer, Gulda, Gould on piano.

[MickyD]

I seem to remember that there was also a harpsichord version on Archiv by Helmut Walcha some time back in the late 70s...but I don't think it ever made it to CD.

[Tony Halstead]

Does anyone know of a recording by the late, great George Malcolm?

[Pianorak]

. . . its always been Richter for me

And for me!