Bach Partitas 4, 2 & 5

Bach Partitas 4, 2 & 5

Anyone who thinks Glenn Gould's riveting, ascetic approach changed Bach piano playing forever should listen to this disc. Richard Goode is too fine a musician to blur Bach's textures or to mess up the music with romantic tempo fluctuations. But he does play Bach as piano music, with plenty of dynamic gradations and a predominantly lyrical approach. His tempo for the Allemande of the Fourth Partita is daringly slow, although he can toss off a gigue like the wind, if he likes. While this is not the most stylish Bach playing by contemporary standards, every movement is strongly characterized and every note carefully considered. Call Goode a throwback, if you like, but even if you have second thoughts about his playing, it's completely convincing while you're listening. --Leslie Gerber

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