When I encounter a fine musician, I really do not much care if the recording is old or new. What I care about is whether I derive a lot of pleasure and satisfaction from the musical interpretation.
That was the case today, when I spent some time listening to violinist Viktoria Mullova perform the music of Bach on an older recording. I was thrilled by her sound, her sensitive interpretation, and her technique. What I heard is captured on this recording:
Bach, J S: Sonatas & Partitas for solo violin, BWV1001-1006
Performed dby Viktoria Mullova (violin):
The London Guardian wrote:
“To hear Mullova play Bach is, simply, one of the greatest things you can experience”
Some years ago Viktoria Mullova recorded the three Bach Partitas on a modern violin but has never recorded the Sonatas, and in the meantime her interpretations have been transformed by her studies in Baroque practice and her subsequent performances with masters such as Gardiner, Dantone, Harnoncourt, Antonini and il Giardino Armonico.
BBC Music Magazine wrote the following:
“In this recording Viktoria Mullova presents virtually flawless playing but, of greater importance, she sustains an impeccably punctuated, modulated and compelling dialogue through Bach’s counterpoint with seemingly effortless intimacy and charm.”
Here is Ms. Mullova performing the music of Bach:
