F minor Harpsichord Concerto

[Anne Smith <smithqa@nexicom.net>]

Bradley wrote:


>
>And there are two of the keyboard concertos (BWV 1058 in G minor and BWV
>1056 in F minor), both played nicely.  Those are from November 15, 1967,
>and September 11, 1957.

I have these in the Original Jacket Collection.  They  were recorded with
the Columbia Symphony Orchestra under Vladmir Golschmann.

The Harpsichord Concertos are the only Bach that I prefer played on the
harpsichord rather than the piano.  I am glad though, that GG recorded the F
minor on the piano.
He took the first movement very slightly slower than I have heard it done
before.  This made it sound stately rather than Allegro.  I did find that
the orchestra drowned out the piano sometimes.  As always,  GG brought out
counterpoint in Bach's music that I had never heard before.
For me, the 2nd movement is one of Bach's finest slow movements.  I loved
the tempo that GG chose.  His ornaments were exquisite.
GG played the 3rd movement at a lively clip, but he didn't gallop through it
the way I have heard others play it.  My score says Presto for this movement
not Prestissimo.  (This would be an editor's marking not Bach's.)  Every
time I hear GG play this I am amazed at the clarity of his ornaments.  These
are beastly to articulate at this speed.  Again, I found that the piano was
drowned out sometimes.

I have never read that GG was especially fond of this Concerto, but I think
that he must have been.  It is in his favorite key.

I would like to recommend this recording to everyone.  I hear Glenn Gould
and Bach at their best here.

Anne Smith