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J.S. Bach: Clavichord

András Schiff (clavichord)

J.S. Bach: Clavichord

Awards:

As with his previous period-instrument ventures, Schiff opens up a new world and thoroughly adjusts his temperament, his ‘pianism’ and his artistry to it.

Gramophone Magazine, April 2023

More reviews

J.S. Bach: Clavichord

András Schiff (clavichord)

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Awards:

As with his previous period-instrument ventures, Schiff opens up a new world and thoroughly adjusts his temperament, his ‘pianism’ and his artistry to it.

Gramophone Magazine, April 2023

More reviews

About

After his landmark recording of some of Johann Sebastian Bach's most important keyboard music, one of the great Bach interpreters of our time turns his attention to the composer's preferred instrument.

The sound of the clavichord is, says Andrs Schiff, an invitation into "a new world, a quiet oasis in our noisy, troubled times. Thanks to the clavichord I now play and hear Bach differently." An intimate and personal instrument - "a most gentle creature, ideal for playing alone" - it can also be, as Schiff notes, a demanding and unforgiving teacher. "On the clavichord we have only our fingers at our disposal, they must create the music with the finest gradations of touch."

The early keyboard works are emphasized here, bringing us closer to the sounds of Bach's day, and the "cantabile art" of the clavichord. The album opens with the Capriccio sopra la lontananza del fratro dilettissmo, journeys through Inventions and Sinfonias, and concludes with an extraordinary account of the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue.

On this recording, Schiff's first on the clavichord, he plays a replica of a 1743 Specken instrument, built by Belgian craftsman Joris Potvlieghe. The album was recorded in the Kammermusik Saal of Bonn's Beethoven-Haus and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Contents and tracklist

Bach, J S: Capriccio sopra la lontananza del suo fratello dilettissimo, BWV992
Work length9:27
I. Ist eine Schmeichelung der Freunde, um denselben von der Reise abzuhalten. Arioso. Adagio
Track length1:31
II. Ist eine Vorstellung unterschiedlicher Casuum, die ihm der Fremde könnten vorfallen
Track length1:12
III. Ist ein allgemeines Lamento der Freunde. Adagissimo
Track length2:05
IV. Allhier kommen die Freunde, weil sie doch sehen, dass es anders nicht kann sein, und nehmen Abschied
Track length0:36
V. Aria di Postiglione. Adagio poco
Track length1:36
VI. Fugue all’imitatione della cornetta di postiglione
Track length2:27
Bach, J S: Two-part Inventions Nos. 1-15, BWV772-786
Work length21:28
No. 1 in C Major, BWV 772
Track length1:28
No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 773
Track length1:50
No. 3 in D Major, BWV 774
Track length1:14
No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 775
Track length0:45
No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 776
Track length1:24
No. 6 in E Major, BWV 777
Track length3:24
No. 7 in E Minor, BWV 778
Track length1:41
No. 8 in F Major, BWV 779
Track length0:56
No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 780
Track length1:45
No. 10 in G Major, BWV 781
Track length0:58
No. 11 in G Minor, BWV 782
Track length0:59
No. 12 No. 12 in A Major, BWV 783
Track length1:12
No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 784
Track length1:22
No. 14 in B-Flat Major, BWV 785
Track length1:20
No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 786
Track length1:10
Bach, J S: Duets Nos. 1-4, BWV802-805
Work length11:18
No. 1 in E Minor, BWV 802
Track length3:02
No. 2 in F Major, BWV 803
Track length2:58
No. 3 in G Major, BWV 804
Track length3:08
No. 4 in A Minor, BWV 805
Track length2:10
Excerpt,Bach, J S: Musical Offering, BWV1079
Work length5:50
Ricercar a 3
Track length5:50
Bach, J S: Three-part Inventions (Sinfonias) Nos. 1-15, BWV787-801
Work length24:45
No. 1 in C Major, BWV 787
Track length1:08
No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 788
Track length2:07
No. 3 in D Major, BWV 789
Track length1:13
No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 790
Track length1:45
No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 791
Track length2:07
No. 6 in E Major, BWV 792
Track length1:20
No. 7 in E Minor, BWV 793
Track length2:06
No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794
Track length0:59
No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 795
Track length3:03
No. 10 in G Major, BWV 796
Track length1:05
No. 11 in G Minor, BWV 797
Track length1:55
No. 12 in A Major, BWV 798
Track length1:29
No. 13 in A Minor, BWV 799
Track length1:41
No. 14 in B-Flat Major, BWV 800
Track length1:18
No. 15 in B Minor, BWV 801
Track length1:29
Bach, J S: Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor, BWV903
Work length10:44
I. Fantasia
Track length5:43
II. Fugue
Track length5:01

Spotlight on this release

Awards and reviews

  • Presto Recording of the Week
    27th January 2023
  • Record Review
    11th February 2023
    Record of the Week
  • Gramophone Magazine
    April 2023
    Editor's Choice
  • Gramophone Awards
    2023 Finalists
    Shortlisted - Instrumental
  • Presto Recordings of the Year
    Finalist 2023
  • International Classical Music Awards
    2024
    Nominated - Baroque Instrumental
  • Gramophone Magazine
    Critics' Choice 2023
  • Gramophone Magazine
    Critics' Choice 2023

April 2023

As with his previous period-instrument ventures, Schiff opens up a new world and thoroughly adjusts his temperament, his ‘pianism’ and his artistry to it.

27th January 2023

In many ways the clavichord’s tone is perfect for this kind of music – less harsh than the bright sound of the harpsichord, which can be difficult to adjust to, yet having enough of an attack to make polyphonic textures transparent and clear in a way that they might not be on the organ. It’s the best of both worlds – making some of the brisker numbers (the two-part inventions in D minor, F major and G major, for instance) really jump off the page.
David Smith

19th February 2023

In the two-part inventions Nos 1-15, the three-part sinfonias Nos 1-15, the duets Nos 1-4 and other JS Bach works, Schiff makes a persuasive case, if not a definitive one, for the clavichord as an equally revelatory vehicle for the pieces as harpsichord or piano.
4 out of 5 stars
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