Product Review

The flourish that begins the Sixth Partita's Toccata is a hint of things to come--this is Bach sounding easy without skimping on its monumentality. The following fugue is gently played but absolutely clear. Elsewhere, Piotr Anderszewski might remind you of Glenn Gould--his attacks on fugal entrances are sharp and purposefully noticeable--as in the fugue in the Gigue that ends the Partita No. 6. He embellishes the written score nicely in the Allemande of the First Partita, and just to hear him play the final Gigue from the Partita No. 1 is enough reason to buy this CD: the playing is fleet and spotless, the rhythm never flags. The effect is exhilarating. Throughout, Anderszewski's dynamic range is vast, with soft passages lolling us into relaxation and the grander moments truly being grand. This is a beautiful recording. --Robert Levine