Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Partitas, BWV 825-830 András Schiff

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 –1750): Partita I / II / III / IV / V / VI
• 1Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - I. Praeambulum (Live)02:12
• 2Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - II. Allemande (Live)04:17
• 3Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - III. Corrente (Live)01:35
• 4Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - IV. Sarabande (Live)04:08
• 5Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - V. Tempo di Minuetta (Live)02:23
• 6Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - VI. Passepied (Live)01:31
• 7Partita V in G Major, BWV 829 - VII. Gigue (Live)03:47
• 8Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - I. Fantasia (Live)01:51
• 9Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - II. Allemande (Live)02:48
• 10Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - III. Corrente (Live)02:40
• 11Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - IV. Sarabande (Live)03:14
• 12Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - V. Burlesca (Live)02:00
• 13Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - VI. Scherzo (Live)01:00
• 14Partita III in A Minor, BWV 827 - VII. Gigue (Live)02:57
• 15Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - I. Praeludium (Live)01:53
• 16Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - II. Allemande (Live)03:09
• 17Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - III. Corrente (Live)02:43
• 18Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - IV. Sarabande (Live)04:26
• 19Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - V. Menuet I (Live)01:16
• 20Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - VI. Menuet II (Live)01:18
• 21Partita I in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 - VII. Gigue (Live)02:12
• 22Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826 - I. Sinfonia (Live)04:17
• 23Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826 - II. Allemande (Live)04:32
• 24Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826 - III. Courante (Live)02:05
• 25Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826 - IV. Sarabande (Live)03:01
• 26Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826 - V. Rondeau (Live)01:28
• 27Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826 - VI. Capriccio (Live)03:19
• 28Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - I. Ouverture (Live)05:50
• 29Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - II. Allemande (Live)07:57
• 30Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - III. Courante (Live)03:20
• 31Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - IV. Aria (Live)02:05
• 32Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - V. Sarabande (Live)05:56
• 33Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - VI. Menuet (Live)01:21
• 34Partita IV in D Major, BWV 828 - VII. Gigue (Live)03:37
• 35Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - I. Toccata (Live)07:20
• 36Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - II. Allemanda (Live)03:41
• 37Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - III. Corrente (Live)04:48
• 38Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - IV. Air (Live)01:41
• 39Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - V. Sarabande (Live)05:33
• 40Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - VI. Tempo di Gavotta (Live)01:58
• 41Partita VI in E Minor, BWV 830 - VII. Gigue (Live)05:40
• Total Runtime02:12:49

Info for Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Partitas, BWV 825-830

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.

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.”

András Schiff, born in Budapest in 1953, puts a strong focus on cyclic performances of the important piano works by the masters from Bach to Bártok. His wide-ranging discography on ECM includes works by Janáček, Schubert, Bach, Schumann, Mozart and many others. Schiff's most ambitious project to date, the complete Beethoven sonata cycle in more than 15 major musical centers worldwide was completed in April 2009 with two triumphant recitals in New York's Carnegie Hall. In 1999 Schiff created his own chamber orchestra, the Cappella Andrea Barca, which consists of international soloists, chamber musicians and friends. In addition to working annually with this Orchestra, he conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra London and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Following his half-year's leave from the concert platform during this autumn, Schiff will be back next spring performing – among other works – extensive cycles of Bach's keyboards music in major music cities.

Schiff's…unashamedly and masterfully pianistic, contrasting sustained tone and light staccato teasing out fragmentary motifs.” (BBC Music Magazin)

“…his energy, concentration and technique never operate at less than optimum level.” (Gramophone)

András Schiff, piano

Concert recording, September 21, 2007 Historischer Reitstadel, Neumarkt
Tonmeister: Stephan Schellmann
Produced by Manfred Eicher

As a young pianist, András Schiff earned wide esteem for his 1980s recordings of the major keyboard works of J.S. Bach; in recent years, as part of his long-term relationship with ECM, he has gone back to Bach as a sage veteran, earning even more acclaim for his New Series versions of the Goldberg Variations (2001) and the Six Partitas (2007), both intimate concert recordings. In August 2011, Schiff turned his focus to the 48 preludes and fugues of Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, recording both Books I and II in the Auditorium Radiosvizzera Italiana, Lugano. The performance of these influential works sets new interpretive standards. For the recording, Schiff’s own Steinway was brought to Lugano, and the production beautifully captures a masterful player and his instrument of choice.

András Schiff, born in Budapest in 1953, puts a strong focus on cyclic performances of the important piano works by the masters from Bach to Bártok. His wide-ranging discography on ECM includes works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann and Janáček, among many others. One of Schiff's most ambitious projects to date, the complete Beethoven sonata cycle was performed in 20 major musical centers worldwide and recorded for ECM in concert at the Zürich Tonhalle. In 1999, Schiff created his own chamber orchestra, the Cappella Andrea Barca, which consists of international soloists, chamber musicians and friends. In addition to working annually with this orchestra, he conducts London’s Philharmonia Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Booklet for Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Partitas, BWV 825-830