J.S. Bach: Partitas Nos. 1, 5 & 6

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J.S. Bach: Partitas Nos. 1, 5 & 6

Label Lawo Classics

Artists Nils Anders Mortensen

€29,99 EUR

Tax included.

This is the first of two releases on which pianist Nils Anders Mortensen presents Bach’s Partitas for Piano. These six partitas, BWV 825-830, were published individually from 1726 onwards, and in 1731 as a collection called Clavier-Übung. Among Bach’s works that can be described as dance suites — including the English Suites and French Suites — the partitas are the most technically demanding. They can be seen as the further development of his French Suites — more probing in the sense of a new approach to the different dance forms, more use of gallant melody with harmonies instead of imitating counterpoint, and containing new kinds of texture. In terms of the dance movements in particular, Bach leaves behind the traditional models, revealing remarkable creative freedom and variation. Mortensen has one earlier release with music of Bach - also available from NativeDSD Music: Ouvertüre nach Französischer Art, BWV 831 / Sarabande con Partite, BWV 990 / Englische Suite Nr. 6 d-Moll, BWV 811 (LWC1174). His trademark playing style is based on knowledge of the authentic traditions, while at the same time remaining completely free of the traditions when he feels it offers an appropriate contrast. With his critically acclaimed albums and concerts as soloist with the major Norwegian orchestras, Nils Anders Mortensen has distinguished himself as one of Norway’s leading pianists. He has been employed as state musician in Finnmark County for over 20 years, and is also active as a freelancer.

Nils Anders Mortensen, Piano

Tracklist

Autoplay next track

Total time: 01:14:29

1. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: I. Toccata

08:32

2. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: II. Allemande

03:58

3. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: III. Corrente

04:17

4. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: IV. Air

01:42

5. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: V. Sarabande

06:36

6. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: VI. Tempo di Gavotta

02:09

7. Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: VII. Gigue

06:23

8. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: I. Preambulum

02:05

9. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: II. Allemande

05:16

10. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: III. Corrente

01:50

11. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: IV. Sarabande

04:19

12. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: V. Tempo di Minuetto

01:36

13. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: VI. Passepied

01:48

14. Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV 829: VII. Gigue

04:25

15. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: I. Prelude

02:27

16. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: II. Allemande

03:57

17. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: III. Courante

02:52

18. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: IV. Sarabande

05:08

19. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: V. Menuett I

01:17

20. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VI. Menuett II

01:23

21. Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VII. Gigue

02:29

Previews are short MP3 excerpts. Your download is in the quality and channels you choose.

Additional Information

Label

Lawo Classics

SKU

LWC1249

Qualities

FLAC 96 kHz, DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256, DSD 512, DXD 24 Bit, DXD 32 Bit, FLAC 192 kHz

Channels

2ch Stereo

Artists

Nils Anders Mortensen

Composers

Bach

Genres

Classical

Original Recording Format

DXD

Instruments

Piano

Release Date

May 05, 2023

Edit Master Sourced
Higher Rates Program
Not Available on SACD

Reviews

Gramophone

Philip Kennicott

This is Bach in private mode, intimate, exploratory and rarely demonstrative. Nils Anders Mortensen recorded this first set of three Partitas (the other three will follow in a subsequent recording) in a church in Oslo, which gives the overall texture a liquidity that sometimes makes one wonder if he is over-pedaling. He isn’t, but the acoustics warm the sound while softening all the contours.

Mortensen’s interpretations use a sharp contrast between long passages in seamless legato and others in persistent staccato mode. His legato mode tends to a tender inwardness, as in the Allemande of Partita No 5. His staccato style can sometimes feel just a bit frantic, as in the strange accents and clipped rhythms of the Courante from Partita No 6 – the tempo isn’t unduly fast, yet it feels rushed.

At its best, this is elegant playing, without eccentricity or ostentation. There are no big effects and few moments when one senses the performer in the foreground. But one often feels as if a lot has been left on the table, including a sharper delineation of counterpoint and contrast between voices. The Sarabande of Partita No 6 gets so inward that much of the drama is left by the wayside. A no-drama approach is always welcome in Bach, in theory. But in this case, one wishes for a bit more of a sense of character, variety and interpretative individuality.

Source: www.gramophone.co.uk

J.S. Bach: Partitas Nos. 1, 5 & 6

J.S. Bach: Partitas Nos. 1, 5 & 6

€29,99 EUR

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