That the six keyboard partitas of J.S. Bach were his first published works for solo keyboard only adds clout to Bach's position as one of the most remarkable composers of all time. While there is some evidence indicating that these works were originally conceived as pieces for middle-class amateurs, their high degree of technical difficulty would seem to indicate that Bach (thankfully) missed his mark. Performances and recordings of the six partitas abound and are dutifully scrutinized. Harpsichordist Nicholas Parle, one of ...
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That the six keyboard partitas of J.S. Bach were his first published works for solo keyboard only adds clout to Bach's position as one of the most remarkable composers of all time. While there is some evidence indicating that these works were originally conceived as pieces for middle-class amateurs, their high degree of technical difficulty would seem to indicate that Bach (thankfully) missed his mark. Performances and recordings of the six partitas abound and are dutifully scrutinized. Harpsichordist Nicholas Parle, one of the only winners of the Bruges International Harpsichord Competition, puts forth a highly compelling, convincing performance on this three-disc ABC Classics set. For listeners who prefer a more metered, staid interpretation of each suites introductory movement, Parle may raise some eyebrows. He frequently pushes the envelope on the amount of rhythmic and tempo fluctuation can be tolerated. The Praeludium of the First Partita, for example, finds many elongated beats that, while...
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