Following last year’s completion of his highly-praised Beethoven cycle András Schiff returns to Bach with a superb interpretation of the six “Partitas”, recorded live in September 2007 at Neumarkt Reitstadl one of the best piano music venues in Eurpoe. The cycle, which in 1731 was the first group of works to be published by Bach himself, represents a unique stylistic synthesis of the suite form with a particular emphasis on most varied and imaginative opening movements. In his 1802 biography of Bach, Nikolaus Forkel famously wrote that “such splendid compositions for the clavier had not been seen or heard before… so brilliant, harmonious, expressive and constantly novel are they.” Compared to his London studio recording of 1983 this second rendering on disc demonstrates Schiff’s stylistic development towards more freedom, sonic depth and sheer pleasure of phrasing. The rather unorthodox sequence of partitas – 5 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 4 – 6 – draws an ascending line of keys leading from G major to e minor.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Partitas
András Schiff
- CD 1
- Partita V in G major, BWV 829
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- 2Allemande04:16
- 3Corrente01:34
- 4Sarabande04:07
- 5Tempo di Minuetta02:23
- 6Passepied01:30
- 7Gigue03:45
- Partita III in a minor, BWV 827
- 8Fantasia01:50
- 9Allemande02:47
- 10Corrente02:40
- 11Sarabande03:14
- 12Burlesca02:00
- 13Scherzo00:59
- 14Gigue02:55
- Partita I in B-flat major, BWV 825
- 15Praeludium01:52
- 16Allemande03:09
- 17Corrente02:42
- 18Sarabande04:25
- 19Menuet I01:15
- 20Menuet II01:17
- 21Gigue02:10
- Partita II in c minor, BWV 826
- 22Sinfonia04:17
- 23Allemande04:31
- 24Courante02:05
- 25Sarabande03:01
- 26Rondeau01:27
- 27Capriccio03:18
- CD 2
- Partita IV in D major, BWV 828
- 1Ouverture05:50
- 2Allemande07:56
- 3Courante03:19
- 4Aria02:04
- 5Sarabande05:55
- 6Menuet01:20
- 7Gigue03:34
- Partita VI in e minor, BWV 830
- 8Toccata07:19
- 9Allemanda03:40
- 10Corrente04:47
- 11Air01:41
- 12Sarabande05:33
- 13Tempo di Gavotta01:57
- 14Gigue05:40
Following last year's completion of his highly-praised Beethoven cycle András Schiff returns to Bach with a superb interpretation of the six "Partitas". It was recorded live in September 2007 at Neumarkt Reitstadl, one of the best piano music venues in Europe. The cycle, which in 1731 was the first group of works to be published by Bach himself, represents a unique stylistic synthesis of the suite form with a particular emphasis on most varied and imaginative opening movements. In his 1802 biography of Bach, Nikolaus Forkel famously wrote that "such splendid compositions for the clavier had not been seen or heard before… so brilliant, harmonious, expressive and constantly novel are they."
Although his earlier Bach recordings are still available, this is Schiff’s new Bach: Compared to his London studio version of 1983 this second rendering of the Partitas on disc demonstrates Schiff's stylistic development towards more freedom, personal expression and sheer pleasure of phrasing. His playing on stage combines spontaneity and intellectual depth, ravishing sound with superb technical finish. In his personal note for the present recording Schiff writes: "Conducting the St. Matthew Passion and the B-minor Mass several times were experiences that have left an indelible mark on my piano performances: we frequently find dance movements in Bach's church music, and his instrumental works were often inspired by his sacred compositions."
The pianist’s rather unorthodox sequence of Partitas – 5 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 4 - 6 – draws an ascending line of keys leading from G major to e minor. It reflects a long experience with the pieces on stage. According to Schiff the Clavierübung “is designed to be at once enyclopaedic, scholarly and instructive. Nonetheless, the six partitas form an ideal, if long, concert program: Bach’s music succeeds over and over again in forging an intimate bond between performer and audience.”
YEAR | DATE | VENUE | LOCATION | |
2025 | February 12 | Flagey | Brussels, Belgium | |
2025 | February 15 | Lisinski Hall | Zagreb, Croatia | |
2025 | February 17 | Dvorák Hall - Rudolfinum | Prague, Czechia | |
2025 | February 23 | Musikverein | Vienna, Austria | |
2025 | February 25 | Musikverein | Vienna, Austria | |
2025 | February 26 | historischer Reitstadel | Neumarkt, Germany | |
2025 | February 27 | Casals Forum | Kronberg, Germany | |
2025 | February 28 | Pierre Boulez Saal | Berlin, Germany | |
2025 | March 05 | Sheldonian Theatre | Oxford, United Kingdom | |
2025 | March 11 | Kartause | Ittingen, Switzerland | |
2025 | March 18 | HongKong Cultural Centre | Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China | |
2025 | March 19 | HongKong Cultural Centre | Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China | |
2025 | March 21 | Symphony Hall | Kawasaki, Japan | |
2025 | March 22 | Fenice Sacay | Sakai, Japan | |
2025 | March 23 | Kyoto Concert Hall | Kyoto, Japan | |
2025 | March 25 | Tokyo Opera City | Tokyo, Japan | |
2025 | March 26 | Tokyo Opera City | Tokyo, Japan | |
2025 | March 28 | Concert House | Daegu, South Korea | |
2025 | March 30 | Concert Hall | Seoul, South Korea | |
2025 | April 07 | Hellerup Kirke | Hellerup, Denmark | |
2025 | April 09 | Musiikkitaloon | Helsinki, Finland | |
2025 | April 10 | Musiikkitaloon | Helsinki, Finland | |
2025 | April 22 | Philharmonie | Paris, France | |
2025 | May 01 | Teatro Olimpico | Vicenza, Italy | |
2025 | May 03 | Teatro Olimpico | Vicenza, Italy | |
2025 | May 06 | Schloß Freudenstein | Eppan, Italy | |
2025 | May 11 | Musikverein | Vienna, Austria | |
2025 | May 12 | Musikverein | Graz, Austria | |
2025 | May 13 | Musikverein | Graz, Austria | |
2025 | May 15 | deSingel | Antwerp, Belgium | |
2025 | May 17 | Concertgebouw | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
2025 | May 18 | Herkulessaal | Munich, Germany | |
2025 | May 19 | Tonhalle | Zurich, Switzerland | |
2025 | May 20 | Elbphilharmonie | Hamburg, Germany | |
2025 | May 22 | Royal Festival Hall | London, United Kingdom | |
2025 | June 07 | Wigmore Hall | London, United Kingdom | |
2025 | June 09 | Wigmore Hall | London, United Kingdom | |
2025 | June 15 | Filharmonia | Warsaw, Poland | |
2025 | June 17 | Konzerthaus | Vienna, Austria | |
2025 | June 19 | Konzerthaus | Blaibach, Germany | |
2025 | June 21 | Gewandhaus | Leipzig, Germany | |
2025 | June 28 | Casals Forum | Kronberg, Germany | |
2025 | June 29 | Casals Forum | Kronberg, Germany | |
2025 | July 03 | Schloß Elmau | Krün, Germany | |
2025 | July 05 | Schloß Elmau | Krün, Germany |