Bach, J S: Lute Suites Nos. 1-4, BWV995-997 & 1006a, etc.

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Whether or not the description of these as 'lute' works is justified has long been a matter for debate, and in their annotation Stephan Schmidt and Claude Chauvel inevitably fail to resolve the... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: V4861
Label: Naive
Length: 98 minutes

Bach, J S: Lute Suite in E major, BWV1000a

Work length18:21

$6.30

$8.10

Stephan Schmidt

I. Prélude

Track length3:49

$1.05

$1.35

II. Loure

Track length3:26

$1.05

$1.35

III. Gavotte en rondeau

Track length3:16

$1.05

$1.35

IV. Menuets I & II

Track length4:09

$1.05

$1.35

V. Bourrée

Track length1:33

$1.05

$1.35

VI. Gigue

Track length2:08

$1.05

$1.35

Bach, J S: Lute Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV997

Work length20:15

$5.25

$6.75

Stephan Schmidt

I. Preludio

Track length3:19

$1.05

$1.35

II. Fuga

Track length6:21

$1.05

$1.35

III. Sarabande

Track length4:43

$1.05

$1.35

IV. Gigue

Track length2:55

$1.05

$1.35

V. Double

Track length2:57

$1.05

$1.35

Bach, J S: Prelude, Fugue & Allegro for Lute in E flat major, BWV998

Work length12:43

$3.15

$4.05

Stephan Schmidt

I. Prelude

Track length2:59

$1.05

$1.35

II. Fuga

Track length6:27

$1.05

$1.35

III. Allegro

Track length3:17

$1.05

$1.35

Bach, J S: Lute Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV995

Work length22:53

$6.30

$8.10

Stephan Schmidt

I. Prelude

Track length5:45

$1.05

$1.35

II. Allemande

Track length5:13

$1.05

$1.35

III. Courante

Track length2:02

$1.05

$1.35

IV. Sarabande

Track length3:19

$1.05

$1.35

V. Gavottes I & II en rondeau

Track length4:20

$1.05

$1.35

VI. Gigue

Track length2:14

$1.05

$1.35

Bach, J S: Lute Suite No. 1 in E minor, BWV996

Work length16:41

$6.30

$8.10

Stephan Schmidt

I. Praeludio

Track length2:39

$1.05

$1.35

II. Allemande

Track length2:32

$1.05

$1.35

III. Courante

Track length2:14

$1.05

$1.35

IV. Sarabande

Track length5:02

$1.05

$1.35

V. Bourrée

Track length1:12

$1.05

$1.35

VI. Gigue

Track length3:02

$1.05

$1.35

Bach, J S: Fugue in G minor for lute, BWV1000

Work length5:13

$1.05

$1.35

Stephan Schmidt

Bach, J S: Prelude in C Minor, BWV 999

Work length1:54

$1.05

$1.35

Stephan Schmidt

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

Whether or not the description of these as 'lute' works is justified has long been a matter for debate, and in their annotation Stephan Schmidt and Claude Chauvel inevitably fail to resolve the matter, though they lean more in the direction of 'yes' than most. In a sense it matters little, for the works have been performed and recorded on a variety of other plucked-string instruments – harpsichord and lute-harpsichord as well as guitar – in exemplary fashion. The 'standard' six-string guitar is a baritone instrument, but its lowest register isn't extended enough to avoid the need for compromises; accordingly guitars with more strings (the extra ones at the bass end) have been in use for over 30 years. Now Schmidt, using 10 strings, sets a new benchmark with this magnificent set. The extra four strings give firmer bass and more resonant bass lines, as did Söllscher's five, and free the player's left hand from the restriction of having to hold many of them down.
Schmidt's touch is happily light in the galanteries and in the Loure of BWV1006a, but there's gravity in the unhurried sarabandes – such variations apply not only to pace but to spirit, too. He knows when to embellish (which he does with elegance) and when not. His rubato 'bends' a little more than Söllscher's and he's less conservative in his approach to embellishment – but attitudes to such matters have since eased. If there's a better version of these works on any kind of guitar in terms of content and recording quality we have yet to hear it.

Bach, J S: Lute Suites Nos. 1-4, BWV995-997 & 1006a, etc.

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