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Track Listings
| 1. Tocata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564 - Prelude |
| 2. Intermezzo (Adagio) |
| 3. Fugue |
| 4. Piano Sonata No. 30 in E major, Opus 109 - Vivace ma non troppo: Adagio espressivo |
| 5. Prestissimo |
| 6. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung |
| 7. Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830 - Toccata |
| 8. Allemanda |
| 9. Corrente |
| 10. Air |
| 11. Sarabande |
| 12. Tempo di Gavotta |
| 13. Gigue |
| 14. Adagio, from Concerto No.3 in D minor, BWV 974 |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I eagerly anticipated this disc from James. The disc's title is a cheeky tribute to the Glenn Gould and I'm sure would have been appreciated by the great prankster the Canadian master was! James is very serious when discussing the works on this CD, revealing how well read he is and shares his ideas about what the composer may have had in mind when composing each work. The music on offer represents peaks of the repertoire, so don't be put off by the title or cover of the CD.
James's performance of Bach's emotional and thorny sixth partita is beautifully thought out and he plumbs the depths in the music without losing sight of its stylistic provenance. The approach is very uncomplicated with clear articulation and dancing rhythms. As in his earlier recording of the 5th French Suite, James shows himself to be very fine Bach player playing with great intelligence and giving us an uncluttered and refreshing view on this great work.
Beethoven's Op. 109 is a tough nut to crack. Making sense of the wildly contrasting moods is very challenging: what's it all about ? James has his ideas that he articulates on the CD (its good to hear his thoughts, always fascinating and apposite). Upon listening several times over, its hard to think of an interpretation that makes more sense of the rhapsodic lyricism, the dreamy introspection tempered with steely Beethoven sturm and drang. So a very poetic, highly nuanced reading that's a triumph in every respect, and all the more amazing considering James's unconventional route to the recording studio! Having read several reviews in the mainstream press, I'm not the only listener to reach these conclusions.
I enjoyed the Bach Busoni transcription more that I thought I would. Its a huge work and performances from the likes of Horowitz have always cast a shadow over any pianist tackling it: so you need to have something different to say. James certainly does, though the tone is a touch lean at times and needs a deeper and more resounding sense of "organ" fortissimo.
Bonus tracks include a a Prelude and Chopin last, stormy Etude and the slow movement of Bach's transcription of Marcello's Oboe Concerto. In conclusion, a triumph. A serious musician is at work here, the playing is more focussed and determined than on his last disc and adds up to an exceptionally fine recital.
James's performance of Bach's emotional and thorny sixth partita is beautifully thought out and he plumbs the depths in the music without losing sight of its stylistic provenance. The approach is very uncomplicated with clear articulation and dancing rhythms. As in his earlier recording of the 5th French Suite, James shows himself to be very fine Bach player playing with great intelligence and giving us an uncluttered and refreshing view on this great work.
Beethoven's Op. 109 is a tough nut to crack. Making sense of the wildly contrasting moods is very challenging: what's it all about ? James has his ideas that he articulates on the CD (its good to hear his thoughts, always fascinating and apposite). Upon listening several times over, its hard to think of an interpretation that makes more sense of the rhapsodic lyricism, the dreamy introspection tempered with steely Beethoven sturm and drang. So a very poetic, highly nuanced reading that's a triumph in every respect, and all the more amazing considering James's unconventional route to the recording studio! Having read several reviews in the mainstream press, I'm not the only listener to reach these conclusions.
I enjoyed the Bach Busoni transcription more that I thought I would. Its a huge work and performances from the likes of Horowitz have always cast a shadow over any pianist tackling it: so you need to have something different to say. James certainly does, though the tone is a touch lean at times and needs a deeper and more resounding sense of "organ" fortissimo.
Bonus tracks include a a Prelude and Chopin last, stormy Etude and the slow movement of Bach's transcription of Marcello's Oboe Concerto. In conclusion, a triumph. A serious musician is at work here, the playing is more focussed and determined than on his last disc and adds up to an exceptionally fine recital.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'd listened to some of James Rhodes' playing from his first album and rather liked it, so I was very much hoping that this CD would be more of the same - and I'm pleased to say that it was :-) I'm no classical music expert, but I love the images evoked by his playing, especially on those pieces where there is a lot of delicate fluttering over the keys - reminds me of butterflies for some reason! I really want to hear him play live now, if it sounds this good in a recording, it must be even better to hear it for real.
The interviews with Rhodes at the end were a brilliant touch: shedding light on the choice of pieces for the album, and also, perhaps unintentionally, giving us a glimpse into what music really means to him - this is the kind of thing that I wish more music artists would include on their albums, both classical and otherwise.
The interviews with Rhodes at the end were a brilliant touch: shedding light on the choice of pieces for the album, and also, perhaps unintentionally, giving us a glimpse into what music really means to him - this is the kind of thing that I wish more music artists would include on their albums, both classical and otherwise.
Format:Audio CD
A brilliant and gifted pianist capable of stirring the emotions without words. His style is unique and unmistakeable and his enthusiasm and interpretation of familiar pieces are a joy to listen to.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Piano Playing with Passion
This is an exelent C.D. James's passion for his music realy comes through on this C.D.
I am not (or at least wasn't ) a great fan of Classical music and this C.D. Read more
I am not (or at least wasn't ) a great fan of Classical music and this C.D. Read more
Published 21 months ago by ian0909
Another Fantastic Recording from James Rhodes!!!
This is a truly exquisite recording. The first thing I should say is that there are small some technical issues in a few pieces, fudged notes etc; but this in no way detracts from... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Al's Emporium of Musical Appreciation!
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