![Bach, J.S.: The French Suites [2 CD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71f7mn+WfIL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Reviewing this compilation box set has been an interesting experience of renewal as it was reviewed by listening to the discs in the order of recording which matched the order in which they were originally bought starting with LPs and concluding with CDs. Only the concerto disc was previously unheard and was much better than some other reviewers had indicated.
The sonatas opened this survey and were recorded in 1973 when Perahia was a young man with a reputation to consolidate. At that time Chopin was often played in ways that under-played the emotional turmoil of the music clearly indicated with frequent discordant harmonies and challengingly fast and furious passage work. Perahia here tackles these aspects head on and one can be in little doubt about the unsettled state of mind of the composer. The final movement’s instruction of ‘attacca’ simply means without a pause but Perahia’s delivery allows for a clearly unsettling viewpoint following on as he does from a relatively sober and grim funeral movement.
The Preludes recorded in 1975 take this awareness of discord, turbulence and aggression to levels that can only be described as startling. For a young collector at that time the LP was revelatory and alternative graceful, genteel and subtle versions, including variants of those concepts simply lacked the bite and anger of a troubled mind that is implicit in the music. Curiously this recording never made it to CD until now. Years after removing LPs from the collection, this was the sole reason for purchasing the set which contains so much already owned. It does not disappoint this much older listener and still has powerful shock value. Was it Sony or Perahia’s decision not to make it available on CD until now?
The answer may lie in the remaining solo discs, all of which have received copious and well-deserved praise from collectors and the music press alike. The Impromptus from 1984, the Ballades from 1994, and the Etudes from 2001 plus various other included pieces all exhibit numerous insights based on ever increasing command of the subtle characteristics accompanied by a marked reduction of the earlier volatile turbulence that so marked the earlier recordings in this series. In this way these later recordings fall more easily within the expected and more normal emotional parameters to be found in other recordings of considerable note. This move away from the earlier confrontational style of the sonatas and Preludes is also apparent in the ‘live’ recordings of the two concertos from 1989 which are outstanding in a more conventional style.
The concertos have a livelier and more alert accompaniment and quality of recorded sound than some reviewers have previously commented upon. This may be the result of the new 24 bit processing. Even the earliest two analogue recordings from 1970 and 1973 are better presented than previously even though the sound is still a little hard – however it matches the nature of those specific readings well and therefore seems appropriate.
As with other boxes in this series there are no written notes supplied in the form of a booklet or leaflet. Why not simply reprint the information already created for the original discs?
Overall this box offers remarkable value with some truly remarkable music insights and rewards from Perahia.
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Top reviews from other countries
I. Giles
Overall this box offers remarkable value with some truly remarkable music insights and rewards from Perahia.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2017Verified Purchase
Ultrarunner
The brilliant Perahia
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 April 2017Verified Purchase
Gerry 'M'
If you are someone who enjoys the best things in life (culturally speaking of course!) and appreciates good value. BUY NOW!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2017Verified Purchase
Adi H. Jehangir
Unbelievable bargain !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 March 2017Verified Purchase
boz
A brilliant insight to Chopin's moods
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 February 2018Verified Purchase
