Bach, J.S.: Arrangements

Amassing now over a dozen CD's in her Bach cycle, Angela Hewitt puts her focus on several famous - and some not-so-famous - piano transcriptions of Bach. The overall flavor and tone of this set is a little different than her other Bach recordings. Not present in this music are the lively dance rhythms of the French courante, menuet or bourree found in the Suites or Partitas - or even much of the intellectual fugues from the "Well-Tempered Clavier" and others. Rather, there is a more introspective, gentle and often tangibly spiritual essence to the selections on this CD - largely due to many being transciptions from choral and church cantatas. In many of the more familiar pieces, there is a comforting and assuring atmosphere that Miss Hewitt communicate most sensitively - which when reading the German translation of the original works in the liner notes, would seem to be the intent of the Lutheran Kappelmeister Bach.In her most-informative notes, Hewitt points out how "the ability to translate spirituality into sound at the keyboard is of certainly important to avoid famous tunes sounding banal or hacknayed." Her versions of the famous "Jesu" and "Sheep may safely graze" (as well as her own three lovely transcriptions) do seem to succeed in conveying a spiritual core to avoid sounding trite. In the great Bach pastoral work ("Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"), Hewitt convincingly summons the nurturing personna of Dame Myra Hess who played her piano transcription of this choral work almost daily over BBC radio to comfort many in hardship during the great war. Maybe in a couple pieces, as some suggest, Ms. Hewitt draws out her tempos a bit, but I found this gave the piece a more introspective tone that I appreciated later upon further listening. Other works on a more grand scale (like the Passacaglia for organ) reveal Bach as a daunting church composer and sound reasonably authoritive on Hewitt's piano. Her best pieces here may be also her most personally involved ones - her own three transcriptions - which embody a most moving, introspective and heartwarming quality. I think these are a humble highlight of the set.The Hyperion sound is clear and full bodied while the substantial CD notes offer valuable history of the transciptions and Ms. Hewitt's perspectives on how she approached them. Significant coverage is given to the past legends of the piano like Kempff, Hess, Howells, d'Albert that will be appreciated especially by pianists. In short, a unique, spiritual and lovely set of recordings in Angela Hewitt's ever-growing quiver of Bach recordings. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound - 4 stars.

I don't want to deter anyone from purchasing this CD. It is remarkable in most respects. The microphones must have been excellent, their placement perfect, and the engineering impeccable. They all redounded toward the perfect aural quality you'll experience in these arrangements. What lacks is boldness in their performance. They're timid. They're not nuanced, not enough at any rate. It's all a little too light and breezy. Too pleasant.I had an instructor who often reminded me that every note must be beautiful. I protested that music is capable of evoking every emotion: melancholy and despair, anger and rage, arrogance and pomposity. How could I evince such pathos with only beautiful notes at my disposal?This CD is a collection of beautiful notes. Beautiful, but somewhat less than achingly so. Though I am pleased to have it. You should own it too. But, additionally, purchase Emile Naoumoff's Bach Transcriptions Pour Piano (Saphir Productions). Hewitt is not -- contrary to the conventional wisdom -- the be all, end all of Bach. Listen to Naoumoff and you will hear someone capable of plumbing the depths of human emotion with his interpretations of Bach. His is a five star CD. Heweitt's is a three. (A really good three.)Additionally, Hewitt and her Fazioli are very much of the same temperament. Which works well (for her). But listen to the C minor Passacaglia, Hewitt's performance and Naoumoff's -- side by side. Naoumoff's piano is a sulking beast. A hulking, snarling, brooding, petulant beast. While Hewitt's piano is a teensy puppy that would fit in your pocket. Yes, it's that adorable. You can own one for a hundred thousand or whatever they go for.Seriously, buy Hewitt and Naoumoff. Because music should be beautiful but sometimes it should be something more.

I heard "Sleepers Awake" on the radio driving to work the other day and just had to track down this CD. This kind of relatively close-mic piano production is what I really love - closer to the way jazz piano is typically recorded. It brings out the detail in contrapuntal music that I feel is often lost in the cavernous ambience other people seem to prefer, in what I think is a misguided attempt to emulate a cathedral organ.It seems like ages ago when the historical performance specialists and other purists raged against transcriptions and arrangements - perhaps they still do but I think that battle is over and the reasonable center of music listeners has concluded, "We'll decide if it works musically for us, thank you very much".One thing I noticed is this CD is especially "dense" in data (70+ minutes) and can't be accomodated on two older portable players I have. When attempting to select a later track the search function hangs. What I typically do in this case is rip a copy minus one track (so hard to choose here!).It plays fine in my 10 year-old Bose car system and in more recent portables - not to mention the CD/DVD combo drive on my computer.

One of the most beautiful arrangements of Bach I have experienced. I don't know who sent it to me, but I loved it so much, I have given gifts to my piano playing friends. Helps us hear familiar themes with new ears.

This is a CD you'll always enjoy revisiting. Miss Hewitt shares the deep wonders of J.S. Bach, in a powerful and moving way. I especially like the way the recording ends -- the pentultimate Passacaglia in C minor knocks you over, and the finale Alle Menschen mussen sterben gently, yet deliberately, restores the listener. Translate the German title to better understand the root of Bach's compelling theme.

After a little period of adjustment, these arrangements 'grow on you', because they are so very well performed. Bach, a great arranger himself, would have smiled a lot listening to what's been done with his stuff.

Great arrangements, beautifully played!

Ignore that single one-star review, this is a beautiful collection of transcriptions of Bach, played with virtuosity and sensitivity. It’s a fine selection too, and includes the wonderful arrangement by H. Bauer of “Die Seele ruht in Jesu Händen”, which may be a world premiere recording as I’ve never seen it anywhere else. There’s plenty of scope for a follow-up volume two. I could even suggest Tagliapietra’s wonderful transcription of the Fantasia and Fugue in G minor as a starting point (better than Liszt’s version, imho), which might even be another world premiere recording. Excellent CD!

I'm glad to hold in my hands such an extremely well played collection of Bach choral preludes. If you compare them with the original versions they sound sometimes even better.

Angela Hewitt is a inspiring exponent of Bach. I was particularly thrilled to hear the great Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor a favourite piece which I have never heard on the piano. I was not disappointed.

These arrangements of Bach Chorals are beautifully played by Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt. The recording quality is outstanding. Ordering and delivery were easy and prompt.

This is the recording that truly introduced me to the genius of J. S. Bach and Angela Hewitt. You could say that this is a CD of Bach's Greatest Hits, as many of the selections are very well known. I had never heard Harold Bauer's arrangement of 'Die Seele ruht in Jesu Handen' before, nor did I know the full Cantata. For me, this is the most beautiful piece on the disc. Also I met the Passacaglia for the first time, as well as the three wonderful adaptations by Angela from the Orgelbuchlein. You'll never tire of this Bach, it was a beautiful revelation for me.