Igor Levit’s recording of Bach’s Partitas BWV 825-830 is the second release by this 27-year-old pianist. His first debut album, featuring the late Beethoven sonatas, received critical acclaim and awards from international publications and various musical organizations.
After Beethoven, Levit now turns his attention to the music of Bach:
- Partitas Nos. 1-6, BWV825-830
Performed by Igor Levit (piano)
“It’s simply amazing what Bach could do!” Levit says. “He had a command of form second to none. Take the long slow movement of Partita no. 6: at the end it’s not a Sarabande any more, but a crazy, radical free fantasy – incredibly emotional, it stands no comparison. It really shakes you up. This is music of the utmost perfection!”
And of the Minuet from Partita no. 5, BWV 829 Levit says: “This is a humorous piece, not a minuet! And then suddenly it is one. And then it isn’t.”
Igor Levit has worked his way meticulously towards the famous Bach Partitas. He read, studied and played music that came before Bach. While he was pursuing his research, he didn’t play Bach at all. And then he spent three or four years on the partitas without performing them in concert until he had the feeling that he had finally mastered the scores and could do them justice.
Here is Igor Levit playing Bach’s “Chaconne” in the arrangement for left hand by Johannes Brahms:
And next, here is Igor Levit playing the Bach Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825 – I. Praeludium:
Tags: Igor Levit, Bach, Partitas, Sarabande, Praeludium, Chaconne
