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Category: Bach

Bach: French Suites

Bach: French Suites

  Bach’s ‘French Suites’  comprise 6 sets of suites for piano. The name ‘French’ was added on later, either to describe the style or to possibly differentiate them from the ‘English’ Suites. The do not really reflect a French style as such, but regardless this is a must-listen for lovers of piano music.   There are numerous performances available, and most are more than acceptable. I have a preference for Andras Schiff and Glenn Gould. Schiff has a more set…

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Perlman Jacket

Perlman Jacket

  The Itzhak Perman ‘Original Jacket Collection’ is a 10 CD set that was issued by Sony several years ago featuring a variety of Perlman’s recordings. Bach, Mozart, Prokofiev and Paganini are only a few of the composers represented here. This collection was a bit expensive at the time, and to be honest not one I was inclined to purchase at full price. Fortunately almost the entire set has been reissued in a bargain Sony import collection: ‘Itzhak Perlman Plays…

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More Bargain MP3 Albums

More Bargain MP3 Albums

I just picked up 3 new MP3 box sets that are a fantastic bargain.The Bach Guild has once again released some essential bargain sets, along with one by Vox. The Big Haydn Box and the Big Schubert Box are full of some great performances and music for around a dollar. The Bach Complete Organ Works by Walter Kraft is over 15 hours of some great organ music. As usual the Bach Guild sets will probably work their way up to…

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Free Music May: Open Goldberg Variations

Free Music May: Open Goldberg Variations

A great project: record Bach’s Goldberg Variations, release the recordings into the public domain for all to listen and share. Performed byKimiko Ishizaka, a pianist I have never heard of, but these are not second rate performances. I have only listened to the recording a few times, but I have heard the Goldbergs to the point that I know every movement almost by heart, and something tells me that this may beat out some of my favorite recordings. Ishizakais a…

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Bigger Bach Box

Bigger Bach Box

The Bach Guild has released another Bach volume to celebrate the anniversary of their downloadable music sets. From the Vanguard vault, these 1950’s and 1960’s recordings are another treasure trove of classic performances. The set debuts for 99 cents as usual, and the Bach Guild and Amazon are also featuring some of their other Box Sets for the same price. These sets tend to increase in price to $8.99 over time, so now is the time to get these collections….

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Bach Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord

Bach Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord

Here is some Bach that you do not hear everyday: the Violin/Harpsichord Sonatas 1-6 BWV 1014-1019. Carmignola and Marcon have great insights into these works, and the recording sounds great. From 2002, I recently purchased this since I did not have any of these works, and these are about as good as you can get. The set is a bit pricey, but if you are a fan of Bach’s chamber works, this is an album to get.

Bargain Bach Harpsichord Music

Bargain Bach Harpsichord Music

Looking for a collection of Bach? Here is a set of the Brandenburgs along with the Harpichord Concertos 1-6 plus the Harpsichord Concertos for Two and more keyboards. The performances seem to be from the old Vox catalog possibly, or may be newer, but either way decent recordings. The price has varied on this but currently under $10. That is quite a bargain, and not a bad way to expand your Bach collection too. Here is a massive harpsichord collection…

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