2003 David Russell plays Bach
David Russell is considered one of the best classical guitarists in the world. This high ranking makes David Russell Plays Bach an extraordinary listening experience. In this recital, Russell translates some of Bach’s finest music for lute, violin and keyboard into the compelling sonic world of the guitar.
The Partita No. 2 was arranged by Russell from the D Minor Partita for Solo Violin, one of the three partitas for unaccompanied violin that Bach wrote around 1720, while he was director of music at the court of Anhalt-Cothen, north of Leipzig. It follows the customary order of dance movements for the baroque suite: Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue—all of which serve as a preface to the wondrous closing Chaconne, one of Bach’s most sublime compositions.
The Lute Suite No. 4, Bach’s transcription of the E minor Partita for Solo Violin, opens with a brilliant Preludio, and is followed by a series of dances in bright tempos. Immediately following the suite is the finale, a 1641 chorale melody by Johann Schop, with a text by Johann Rist—a widely recognized piece that has come to be known as Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.
In recognition of Russell’s great talent, the Royal Academy of Music in London named him a Fellow in 1997.
“David Russell is a great guitarist, and this CD handsomely showcases his affinity for Bach. Without leaning toward Romanticism, Russell gets to the emotional content of the pieces, lingering nicely, for example, on the warmth of the lengthy Chaconne from the Partita No. 2. It would be easy to get bored with the sound of a solo guitar after an hour, but Russell won't permit it--sometimes his tone glistens, sometimes it caresses, always it keeps our attention. The opening prelude to the Lute Suite is a fast, bright movement, and while some will prefer it in Bach's own reuse as the opening of his Cantata No. 29, complete with trumpets and drums, this delicately filigreed version allows us to hear every note. And the mellow chorale prelude, "Jesu, joy of man's desiring," which closes the CD, has rarely sounded more beautiful.” -Robert Levine
Tracklist:
Prelude, Fugue and Allegro BWV998
1. Prelude
2. Fugue
3. Allegro
4. Chorale Prelude 'Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme' BWV645
Partita No.2 BWV1004
5. Allemande
6. Courante
7. Sarabande
8. Gigue
9. Chaconne
Suite No.4 for Lute BWV1006a
10. Preludio
11. Loure
12. Gavotte En Rondeau
13. Menuets I and II
14. Bourree
15. Gigue
16. Chorale Prelude 'Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude'
[Для просмотра данной ссылки нужно зарегистрироваться] mp3 192