Johann Sebastian Bach

“Love him or hate him, audiences tend to have strong feelings about pianist Fazil Say. His jazz and boogie interpretations of classical works and his flamboyant performance style – in which he reaches inside the piano to pluck the strings or hums along with himself à la Glenn Gould – are cited as manifestations of genius or impudence, depending on whom you ask.” New York Magazine

“It was impossible for Casals to play anything as if it weren't great music, and even the shortest items on this disc have a depth and warmth which easily overcome the gritty sound of the early 1920s.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2007 *****

“A nationalistic nod to Sweelinck, some commanding Bach; the bulk of this captivating reissue, however, ties in with the Buxtehude anniversary. Kee's registrations are a marvel (but then he was instrumental in restoring this iconic Schnitger organ).” BBC Music Magazine, August 2007 ****

“Christian Tetzlaff, always one of the most thoughtful, imaginative violinists, has obviously found Bach's solo works a stimulating and rewarding challenge. Technically, he's most impressive: using a modern bow, he can achieve, with each phrase, the kind of subtle give and take that's normally the preserve of the best Baroque violinists. The performances have a remarkable air of spontaneity, the result of a pervasive rubato, especially notable in the ornamental opening movements of the first two sonatas, and in the freer sections of the Chaconne. ...it's notable how Tetzlaff realises the virtuosity of Bach's violin writing - the moto perpetuo finales of the sonatas sound truly thrilling, full of temperament and fire.” Gramophone Magazine, August 2007

“At some point… every great violinist must square up to the Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas. Tetzlaff has finally bitten the bullet - magnificently. Among other modern instrumental versions Julia Fischer's 2004 recording… sets much store in maintaining an even beauty of tone. Tetzlaff is edgier. He takes more risks, probes deeper, shows greater stylistic awareness and is refreshingly rooted in the rhetoric of the dance movements which lend a French accent to the Partitas...” BBC Music Magazine, September 2007 ****

“Christian Tetzlaff, always one of the most thoughtful, imaginative violinists, has obviously found Bach's solo works a stimulating and rewarding challenge. Technically, he's most impressive: using a modern bow, he can achieve, with each phrase, the kind of subtle give and take that's normally the preserve of the best Baroque violinists. His chord playing, too, shows wonderful control; in the more densely polyphonic pieces – the Chaconne and the fugues in the three sonatas – it seems there's often little choice between aggressive accentuation and rhythmic distortion caused by spreading the chords. Tetzlaff, however, manages to avoid both pitfalls, with varied arpeggiation that never fails to take account of the music's rhythmic requirements.
The performances have a remarkable air of spontaneity, the result of a pervasive rubato, especially notable in the ornamented opening movements of the first two sonatas, and in the freer sections of the Chaconne. There's a sense of line and balance that ensures that each departure from metronomic regularity sounds entirely natural, unlocking the music's expressive potential. This is even felt when, in a few movements in the partitas, the dance character suggests a more regular, metrical pulse. Apart from this, it's notable how Tetzlaff realises the virtuosity of Bach's violin writing – the moto perpetuo finales of the sonatas sound truly thrilling, full of temperament and fire. Do investigate this outstanding set.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010