JS Bach: Gulda Clavichord: The Mono Tapes

Listen on Presto Music. Free thirty day trial. Find out more.

To whatever extent Gulda’s experience with the clavichord may have informed his piano-playing, he plays the clavichord like a pianist…That said, there is a certain dazzling virtuosity in these... — Gramophone Magazine, September 2018 More…

Release Date: 22nd Jun 2018
Catalogue No: 0301063BC
Label: Berlin Classics
Length: 60 minutes

Opus Klassik Awards

2019

Outstanding Achievement in Editing

Excerpt, Bach, J S: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2

Work length17:44

$6.00

$7.80

$10.50

Friedrich Gulda (clavichord)

Prelude No. 5 in D Major, BWV 874

Track length4:29

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Fugue No. 5 in D Major, BWV 874

Track length2:58

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Prelude No. 23 in B Major, BWV 892

Track length1:22

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Fugue No. 23 in B Major, BWV 892

Track length3:00

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Prelude No. 17 in A-Flat Major, BWV 886

Track length3:47

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Fugue No. 17 in A-Flat Major, BWV 886

Track length2:08

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Bach, J S: Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor, BWV903

Work length9:33

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Friedrich Gulda (clavichord)

Excerpt, Bach, J S: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2

Work length15:45

$6.00

$7.80

$10.50

Prelude No. 10 in E Minor, BWV 879

Track length2:27

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Fugue No. 10 in E Minor, BWV 879

Track length2:04

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Prelude No. 20 in A Minor, BWV 889

Track length5:14

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Fugue No. 20 in A Minor, BWV 889

Track length1:48

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Prelude No. 24 in B Minor, BWV 893

Track length2:31

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Fugue No. 24 in B Minor, BWV 893

Track length1:41

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Bach, J S: English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807

Work length17:04

$6.00

$7.80

$10.50

Friedrich Gulda (clavichord)

I. Prelude

Track length3:56

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

II. Allemande

Track length2:53

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

III. Courante

Track length1:15

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

IV. Sarabande

Track length3:21

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

V. Bourree I

Track length3:16

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

VI. Gigue

Track length2:23

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

About
Reviews
Explore

About

Gulda plays Bach at the clavichord. It sounds so simple, and yet it holds a wealth of musical depth and expression. In about 1978, the famous pianist Friedrich Gulda recorded his clavichord playing on various different occasions: at intimate concerts or during his morning practice, when he buried himself in the music as if at a séance – and from the unique combination of brilliant musician, eloquent instrument and eminent composer grew something quite special.

The clavichord retreated into the shadows after its period of greatest prominence in the early 18th century. Its simple construction, in which depressing a key set the strings in vibration by means of a small metal blade called a tangent, generated a unique sound. Friedrich Gulda was one of the most important pianists to engage with the instrument in the course of the early-music revival. Apart from the organ, it was the favourite instrument of Johann Sebastian Bach, who wrote many of his works at it and for it.

Originally recorded only to check on his own playing, the tapes were later made at various places and in different situations: in a small concert hall, a hotel room or at Gulda’s artistic retreat in Weissenbach am Attersee. His pupil Thomas Knapp was astonished when his teacher offered him the tapes one day, asking “Would you like ’em?” And who would have refused them? The elementary recording technique and the poor condition of the now 40-year-old tapes called for exhaustive restoration, followed by digital conversion. True, these professionally remastered recordings are not distinguished by exceptional sound quality, but they are invaluable as a surprisingly intimate testimony to a charismatic musician.

Reviews

September 2018

To whatever extent Gulda’s experience with the clavichord may have informed his piano-playing, he plays the clavichord like a pianist…That said, there is a certain dazzling virtuosity in these performances. One must admire Gulda’s clarity of thought and sheer facility…It’s difficult to imagine listeners returning to these as they might to other beloved Bach interpretations but they are nevertheless sui generis, thoroughly considered and certainly provide food for thought.

JS Bach: Gulda Clavichord

Downloads

Contents

Download queue