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

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He combines virtuoso technique and sharp intellect, underscoring the extremes of freedom and rigour that lie at the heart of these works, and the playing is by turns pliant, controlled, spartan,... — BBC Music Magazine, February 2014, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 25th Nov 2013
Catalogue No: AP070
Label: Aparté
Length: 2 hours 36 minutes

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

Work length2:36:26

$48.00

$60.00

$69.60

Christophe Rousset (soloist)

Prélude en Ut, BWV 870

Track length2:22

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Fugue en Ut, BWV 870

Track length1:55

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Prélude en Do Mineur, BWV 871

Track length2:36

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Fugue en Do Mineur, BWV 871

Track length2:19

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Prélude en Do Dièse, BWV 872

Track length2:02

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Fugue en Do Dièse, BWV 872

Track length2:06

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Prélude en Do Dièse Mineur, BWV 873

Track length4:14

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Fugue en Do Dièse Mineur, BWV 873

Track length2:43

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Prélude en Ré, BWV 874

Track length5:46

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Fugue en Ré, BWV 874

Track length2:44

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Prélude en Ré Mineur, BWV 875

Track length1:52

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Fugue en Ré Mineur, BWV 875

Track length1:53

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Prélude en Mi Bémol, BWV 876

Track length3:40

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Fugue en Mi Bémol, BWV 876

Track length1:45

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Prélude en Ré Dièse mineur, BWV 877

Track length4:29

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Fugue en Ré Dièse mineur, BWV 877

Track length4:13

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Prélude en Mi, BWV 878

Track length5:54

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Fugue en Mi, BWV 878

Track length2:56

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Prélude en Mi Mineur, BWV 879

Track length3:45

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Fugue en Mi Mineur, BWV 879

Track length3:00

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Prélude en Fa, BWV 880

Track length4:09

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Fugue en Fa, BWV 880

Track length2:01

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Prélude en Fa Mineur, BWV 881

Track length4:52

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Fugue en Fa Mineur, BWV 881

Track length2:21

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Prélude en Fa Dièse in F, BWV 882

Track length3:14

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Fugue en Fa Dièse in F, BWV 882

Track length2:50

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Prélude en Fa Dièse Mineur, BWV 883

Track length2:54

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Fugue en Fa Dièse Mineur, BWV 883

Track length5:20

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Prélude en Sol, BWV 884

Track length2:51

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Fugue en Sol, BWV 884

Track length1:23

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Prélude en Sol Mineur, BWV 885

Track length2:26

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Fugue en Sol Mineur, BWV 885

Track length3:07

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Prélude en La Bémol, BWV 886

Track length3:55

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Fugue en La Bémol, BWV 886

Track length3:19

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Prélude en Sol Dièse Mineur, BWV 887

Track length4:52

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Fugue en Sol Dièse Mineur, BWV 887

Track length5:47

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Prélude en La, BWV 888

Track length2:26

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Fugue en La, BWV 888

Track length1:30

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Prélude en La Mineur, BWV 889

Track length4:14

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Fugue en La Mineur, BWV 889

Track length1:58

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Prélude en Si Bémol, BWV 890

Track length6:58

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Fugue en Si Bémol, BWV 890

Track length2:14

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Prélude en Si Bémol, BWV 891

Track length3:12

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Fugue en Si Bémol, BWV 891

Track length6:10

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Prélude en Si, BWV 892

Track length2:08

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Fugue en Si, BWV 892

Track length3:57

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Prélude en Si Mineur, BWV 893

Track length2:10

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Fugue en Si Mineur, BWV 893

Track length1:54

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About
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About

Christophe Rousset's first recording for Aparté, devoted to Louis Couperin, was received enthusiastically by public and critics alike and collected many distinctions in the international press, including a BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Choice. Since then he has continued to delight and excel both as harpsichordist and as director of Les Talens Lyriques. Now at the peak of his maturity, the artist presents Bach' musical testament: the Well-Tempered Clavier. Written 20 years after the first volume, Book II contains the musical and spiritual legacy of the composer. Christophe Rousset plays these pieces on the 1628 Ruckers harpsichord of Antwerp, one of the best examples of its kind in the world.

The usual luxury digipack presentation from Aparte is accompanied by informative essays on the compositions, performance practice and on the origins of the harpsichord: "Preserved in the château de Versailles since 1946, the harpsichord had been bequeathed to the Musée de Cluny in Paris by the painter Joseph Fernand Boissard de Boisdenier (1813-1866). The latter was a dilettante, as well as an excellent violinist and organiser of musical evenings, but he is chiefly remembered for the famous 'fantasias' (hashish parties) held in his apartment that were immortalised by his friend Théophile Gautier in 'Le Club des Hachichins'.” Alain Anselm, Harpsichord maker

Reviews

February 2014

He combines virtuoso technique and sharp intellect, underscoring the extremes of freedom and rigour that lie at the heart of these works, and the playing is by turns pliant, controlled, spartan, ornate...Rousset's instrument of choice is the noble 1628 Ruckers double-manual harpsichord of the Palace of Versailles, its sound as glimmering and mature as a vintage claret.

March 2014

Rousset's harpsichord, a 1628 Ruckers ravelement, is an equal collaborator (enjoy particularly its bell-like sonorities in G major or the slightly astringent sound of the theme in the F sharp minor fugue)...He is one of the finest harpsichordists working today and these readings, while never pedantic or ponderous, feel fully studied and assimilated.

February 2014

Rousset is unquestionably a player of impeccable and immaculate technical command, fluent and precise in touch, compelling in his choice of tempos and authoritative in his grasp of structure.

26th January 2014

Rousset has something special to offer here -a gorgeous Ruckers instrument of 1628 which has an ideal resonance and crispness. He understands perfectly how to use overlapping notes and phrases to create an expressiveness you might not suspect possible...a world of inspiration.

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

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