J.S. Bach Recital; Andrew Rangell

Classical piano. Stupendous recording. Passionate Bach, alive and clear. One of my favorite CD’s in KZSU’s classical library so far. Many of the pieces sound improvised, which was pretty common in Bach’s time – though I think the pianist here is just taking liberty with tempo and phrasing. Makes me sing and dance along :) Favs 2, 3, 12, 13. FCC clean.

1. short laid-back prelude.
*2. My favorite Bach piece. Sounds improvised – meandering, much tempo fluctuation, passionate and intense. If you really like this piece seek out the recording by Roslyn Tureck. Wow this is good.
*3. The fugue of the same piece as track 2. Amazing voicing by the pianist – easy to follow the intertwined lines. Wow, I like Ragnell’s performance of this better than
track 2! Ends 10 sec. early.
4. Pretty and light. Nowhere near as serious and heavy-sounding as the piece on tr. 2-3.
5-12. Almost sound orchestral at times – dense and tangly harmonies. It’s a dance suite. 5. Minor and slow, gets busier and sort of perpetual-motion-ish, ends like the beginning. 6. Slow and tangly. 7. Skittery. 8. A little heavier (except for a light middle-section). 9. Very slow, minor key. 10. Lighter. 11. Mid-slow tempo. Cool syncopations. *12. Full, dance-like, rich ending. Beautiful.
*13. Very famous prelude, from Book I of the Well-Tempered Clavier. Mmm.
14-16. Another well-known Bach piece. Nice subtle performance.
14. Very metered/strong beat.
15. Very slow.
16. Very active ending. Rollicking!