Bach: Sonatas and Partitas For Unaccompanied Violin

On this CD:

1. Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Jascha Heifetz

2. Sonata for solo violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Jascha Heifetz

3. Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Jascha Heifetz

4. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Jascha Heifetz

5. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Jascha Heifetz

6. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Jascha Heifetz

Tracks:

Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: Adagio
Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: Fuga: Allegro
Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: Siciliana
Son No.1 in g, BWV1001: Presto
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Allemanda
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Double
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Corrente
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Double: Presto
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Sarabande
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Double
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Tempo Di Borea
Partita No.1 in b, BWV1002: Double
Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: Grave
Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: Fuga
Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: Andante
Son No.2 in a, BWV1003: Allegro

Tracks:

Partita No.2 in d, BWV1004: Allemanda
Partita No.2 in d, BWV1004: Corrente
Partita No.2 in d, BWV1004: Sarabanda
Partita No.2 in d, BWV1004: Giga
Partita No.2 in d, BWV1004: Ciaccona
Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: Adagio
Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: Fuga
Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: Largo
Son No.3 in C, BWV1005: Allegro Assai
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006: Prld
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006: Loure
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006: Gavotte En Rondeau
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006: Menuet I-II
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006: Bouree
Partita No.3 in E, BWV1006: Gigue

Album Description

J.S. Bach's visionary masterpieces are heard in deeply felt, brilliantly realized interpretation by American violinist, Gregory Fulkerson. Fulkerson's approach to these works steers a middle course between two traditions, bringing many of the insights of the historical performance movement: transparent textures, generally quick tempi, and sprightly articulation to the tradition of great violin playing, as well as beautiful tone, first class technical values, emotional connection, and personal vision. Violinist Gregory Fulkerson rose to prominence, taking the First Prize in the International American Music Competition sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. That victory launched his solo career including debuts in New York, London, Paris, Rome and Brussels. Since that time, the adventurous Fulkerson has performed more than 30 different concertos, including the world premiere of John Becker's Violin Concerto, Richard Wernick's Violin Concerto (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) and the Roy Harris Violin Concerto with the North Carolina Symphony (later recording it with The Louisville Orchestra).

Customer Reviews:

great performance...AND recording.......2003-09-18

I agree with the first reviewer that it "sounds as though it was recorded in a large empty hall" but I found the effect rather moving. The microphone is set at a certain distance but the sound is so clear that you can appreciate the Guadagnini's dark and warm tone. And it is accompanied by this church-like echo which I think is quite fitting for this sublime music. I pictured Mr. Fulkerson playing in Rome's Pantheon.

Well played but poorly recorded..........2002-07-17

Mr. Fulkerson gives an overall good performance of the Bach pieces...two problems, however...first,it sounds as though it was recorded in a large empty hall...the pervasive echo grates on one's nerves after a while and greatly distracts from the performance...second, what is his hurry?!...does he want to outrace Heifetz's performances?...if you have a short attention span you might like the blinding speed at which he attacks many of these pieces...on the other hand, Szeryng's recording is phonically better and the pace is ever so much more pleasant.

The Strong Approach.......2001-03-25

While still endlessly fascinated with Rachel Podger's traversal of this fare on a Baroque-prepared violin and with period instrument sensibilities, Mr. Fulkerson's verile approach and aggressive nuances, on a modern instrument, plainly make for a very persuasive perspective as well. Phrasing, contrast, balance - all amply attended to. Pitch of individual notes - perfect! - (you don't even think about it, it comes so naturally). But it's as masculine as a football game (think of it: beer-drinkin' Bach!). Of course, Fulkerson can be tender too, in the slow movements. But that's not what you come away with when you're done listening.

A Perfect Listen!.......2000-11-28

Rich music from a musically rich violinst. You can find many Bach's famous Partitas on this CD. Good music for your soul and your ears!

Bach: Sonatas and Partitas For Unaccompanied Violin

Average customer rating:

Bach: Sonatas and Partitas For Unaccompanied Violin

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00000E6E4
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Bach: The Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin; Unaccompanied Partita for Flute

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Bach: The Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin; Unaccompanied Partita for Flute

Manufacturer: Eroica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00003W8AJ
Release Date: 1998-01-01

Tracks:

Son No.1, BWV 1001: Adagio
Son No.1, BWV 1001: Fugue
Son No.1, BWV 1001: Siciliano
Son No.1, BWV 1001: Presto
Son No.2, BWV 1003: Grave
Son No.2, BWV 1003: Fugue
Son No.2, BWV 1003: Andante
Son No.2, BWV 1003: Allegro
Son No.3, BWV 1005: Adagio
Son No.3, BWV 1005: Fugue
Son No.3, BWV 1005: Largo
Son No.3, BWV 1005: Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Allemande
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Double
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Courante
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Double
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Sarabande
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Double
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Bourree
Partita No.1, BWV 1002: Double
Partita No.2, BWV 1004: Allemande
Partita No.2, BWV 1004: Courante
Partita No.2, BWV 1004: Sarabande
Partita No.2, BWV 1004: Gigue
Partita No.2, BWV 1004: Chaconne
Partita No.3, BWV 1006: Prld
Partita No.3, BWV 1006: Loure
Partita No.3, BWV 1006: Gavotte And Rondo
Partita No.3, BWV 1006: Minuets 1 And 2
Partita No.3, BWV 1006: Bourree
Partita No.3, BWV 1006: Gigue
Partita, BWV 1013: Allemande
Partita, BWV 1013: Courante
Partita, BWV 1013: Sarabande
Partita, BWV 1013: Bourree Anglaise

J.S. Bach: The Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin, BWV 1001-1006

Average customer rating:

My Interpretation as a Guitarist
Bach, pure and simple
Masterful
Masterful
Masterful

J.S. Bach: The Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin, BWV 1001-1006

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005IWT
Release Date: 1992-05-07

Tracks:

Sonata No.1 in G minor, BWV 1001: I. Adagio
Sonata No.1 in G minor, BWV 1001: II. Fuga: Allegro
Sonata No.1 in G minor, BWV 1001: III. Siciliana
Sonata No.1 in G minor, BWV 1001: IV. Presto
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: I. Allemanda
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: II. Double
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: III. Corrente
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: IV. Double: Presto
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: V. Sarabande
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: VI. Double
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: VII. Tempo di Borea
Partita No.1 in B minor, BWV 1002: VIII. Double
Sonata No.2 in A minor, BWV 1003: I. Grave
Sonata No.2 in A minor, BWV 1003: II. Fuga
Sonata No.2 in A minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante
Sonata No.2 in A minor, BWV 1003: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004: I. Allemanda
Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004: II. Corrente
Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004: III. Sarabanda
Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004: IV. Giga
Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV 1004: V. Ciaccona
Sonata No.3 in C, BWV 1005: I. Adagio
Sonata No.3 in C, BWV 1005: II. Fuga
Sonata No.3 in C, BWV 1005: III. Largo
Sonata No.3 in C, BWV 1005: IV. Allegro Assai
Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006: I. Preludio
Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006: II. Loure
Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006: III. Gavotte en Rondeaux
Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006: IV. Menuet 1& Menuet 2
Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006: V. Bouree
Partita No.3 in E, BWV 1006: VI. Gigue

Customer Reviews:

My Interpretation as a Guitarist.......2004-02-20

I had asked my violinist friend to recommend a recording of the Sonatas and Partitas, and she mentioned this one. On listening, I found that the performer used short articulations, "notes inegales (where the dotted notes "swing")," and was often out of tune. I don't know if some of those techniques have something to do with historic instruments and style, but I just don't get it. My most critical comment was that he was really out of tune on some crucial doublestops that my ear just could not comprehend.
I'm just a guitarist, so please (if you're a violinist) consult your teachers and colleagues about what recording to learn from and enjoy. I highly recommend Hilary Hahn's recording over this one - she makes every note sing and plays so perfectly. Again, this is just my opinion.

Bach, pure and simple.......2002-12-06

Lots of people perform these works, but few do them well. Luca does it beautifully, with a pure tone and lots of warmth. He lets the music shine through, not over-interpreting it as many are tempted to do. Having played solo Bach and listened to many others do it, I have found few performances I really like. This is one of them - I could listen to Luca play Bach all day long.

Masterful.......2001-08-16

Sergiu Luca plays Bach with amazing beauty and grace. In this particular rendition of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas, Sergiu Luca plays upon a Baroque violin. Not only is it beautiful, but it maintains the original quality and dynamics of the Baroque era. I highly recommend this CD. Bach should only be played by a master, and Sergiu Luca definitely fills the role.

Masterful.......2001-08-16