David Russell Plays Bach

Amazon.com:
David Russell is a great guitarist, and this CD handsomely showcases his affinity for Bach. Without leaning toward Romanticism, Russell gets to the emotional content of the pieces, lingering nicely, for example, on the warmth of the lengthy Chaconne from the Partita No. 2. It would be easy to get bored with the sound of a solo guitar after an hour, but Russell won't permit it--sometimes his tone glistens, sometimes it caresses, always it keeps our attention. The opening prelude to the Lute Suite is a fast, bright movement, and while some will prefer it in Bach's own reuse as the opening of his Cantata No. 29, complete with trumpets and drums, this delicately filigreed version allows us to hear every note. And the mellow chorale prelude, "Jesu, joy of man's desiring," which closes the CD, has rarely sounded more beautiful. --Robert Levine

Disc 1:

1. Prelude
2. Fuegue
3. Allegro
4. Chorale Prelude, 'Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme' BWV 645
5. Allemande
6. Courante
7. Sarabande
8. Gigue
9. Chaconne
10. Preludio
11. Loure
12. Gavotte En Rondeau
13. Menuets I And II
14. Bourree
15. Gigue
16. Chorale Prelude 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring'

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Customer Reviews

Rating: - all the Bach Best
For me, this recording vies with the 1989 recording "David Russell Plays Baroque Music" for being Russell's finest recording ever.There is an embarassment of riches here, given the combination of three major works (Prelude Fugue and Allegro; Partita #2 for violin; and 4th lute suite)with fine arrangements of the choral preludes 'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring' and 'Sleepers Awake.'And surely those of us who play guitar for weddings will be forever grateful for having these solid, playable solo arrangements ... Read More
Rating: - Russell plays Bach
A talented musician. His playing of the famous Chaconne seemed hurried and lost some of the majesty.
Rating: - Well done
If you were to play this CD for someone who knows little about classical music, they would assuredly say, "Wow, this is really beautiful music."Taking several of his own transcriptions of Bach's music, Scottish guitarist David Russell puts together on this CD a most lovely, satisfying and varied program.His style is warm, ever-smooth, graceful, thoughtful and non-flashy - all of which matches well the temperament of this Baroque music (which obviously is very different than the style used in Spanish guitar ... Read More
Rating: - Awe-inspiring, accurate to the nail
David Russell is one of the greatest classical players of all time, mainly because of his phrasing. His technique is flawless. I saw him live in concert in San Fran, not one mistake. Amazing.

Chaconne on this album is amazing, such amazing control of volume...
Rating: - Well-done, and rare, Bach on the guitar
Like some other reviewers who rate this recording at 5 stars, I too might prefer some other performances in the Chaconne from Partita No. 2.On the other hand, Russell's playing is so extraordinary, I decided to suspend my prior preferences and attempted to hear that one movement as if for the first time.What I heard was a joyous and brilliant expression of pure freedom and mastery.

Rather than try to build to an intense sound in the climax, as one often hears (certainly from Milstein's or Grumiaux's ... Read More