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Lute Suites BWV 995-997, BWV 1006a
Eduardo Fernandez (Lute)
Eduardo Fernandez's new Lute Suites |
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Pete Blue wrote (August 3, 2002):
I have just received from Crotchet (a UK online retailer) a single CD -- for less than six pounds sterling (US$9.20), including shipping to New York -- containing 75 minutes of Bach playing as good as any I have ever heard. It is Arte Nova 74321 84849 2, the Four Suites for Lute transcribed for guitar by and played by the Uruguayan, Eduardo Fernández. Fernandez, who is now 50 or so, recorded extensively for Decca in the 1980s, but this release on Arte Nova (a BMG label) is not a reissue of the Decca; it was made in Germany in October 2000.
I am curious to know what the guitar specialists on the List think of this CD (Peter Bright cited it as a candidate for Recording Of The Year 2001 but there's been no mention since). I'm somewhat of an ignoramus when it comes to Bach on guitar or lute. My collection contains just two Bach guitar LPs: the Segovia miscellany with his
Chaconne, and the Julian Bream Lute Suites. On CD I have the admirable Galbraith S&P, and I've listened some recently to H. Smith, Rodarmer and a few others and years ago to Parkening and John Williams. That's about it. So it's obvious I can't offer an informed comparative analysis.
Here, then, is my uniformed reaction to the Fernandez CD: from the first notes, the out-of-tempo "passagio" which introduces BWV 996, sounding like Fernandez thought it up then and there -- through the spiritual Sarabande of the A Minor Suite BWV 997, so reminiscent of the closing chorus of the SMP -- to the final joyous Gigue of BWV 1006a (the 3rd Solo Violin Partita adapted for lute during Bach's lifetime), I've never enjoyed any Bach transcription disc more, and few as much. Effortless technique and perfect intonation, those you can take for granted. Upfront, lifelike recorded sound. Then there's the springy rhythms, the myriad tone colors, the spontaneous, ever-surprising phrasing -- all suggesting the Spanish origin of the instrument, the Hispanic origin of the guitarist, and a hint of vulgarity (I mean that as a compliment) in the playing. At times it's as if Bach were being improvised in a cafe.
I hope all Bach lovers, including those who may not share my high opinion, will come to know this CD. |
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Lute Works BWV 995-100o, BWV 1006a : Details
Recordings: Until 1950 | 1951-1960 | 1961-1970 | 1971-1980 | 1981-1990 | 1991-2000 | From 2001
Reviews: Lute - E. Fernandez
Discussions: General Discussions - Part 1 | Lute - R. Hill | Lute - L. Kirchhof | Lute - L. Pianca |
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Eduardo Fernández : Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings: Eduardo Fernandez's new Lute Suites |
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