Track Listing

1. Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Adagio
2. Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Fuga
3. Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Siciliano
4. Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001, In A Minor [Orig.G Minor]: Presto
5. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Allemanda
6. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
7. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Corrente
8. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
9. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Sarabande
10. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
11. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Tempo di Bourree
12. Partita No. 1, BWV 1002, In B Minor: Double
13. Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Grave
14. Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Fuga
15. Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Andante
16. Sonata No. 2, BWV 1003, In B Minor [Orig. A Minor]: Allegro
17. Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Allemanda
18. Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Corrente
19. Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Sarabanda
20. Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Giga
21. Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, In E Minor [Orig. D Minor]: Ciaccona (Chaconne)
22. Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Adagio
23. Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Fuga
24. Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Largo
25. Sonata No. 3, BWV 1005, In D Major [Orig. C Major]: Allegro assai
26. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Preludio
27. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Loure
28. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Gavotte en Rondeau
29. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Menuet I
30. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Menuet II
31. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Bourrée
32. Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, In E Major: Gigue

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86878 in Music
• Released on: 1998-08-04
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com
While many guitarists carry single movements from Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas in their repertoires, Paul Galbraith has transcribed the entire set for his custom-made eight-string instrument. The arrangements are wrought with skill, and employ subtle textural filling and intriguing segues between certain movements. Yet Galbraith's glitchless, fur-tipped fingers coddle these works to where Bach's harmonic daring, rhythmic momentum, and emotional contrasts vanish into smooth oblivion. Great guitar playing and gorgeous sonics, yes, but essentially Bach-lite. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews

Flawless and deep
This album is, indeed, a must for Bach fans. Unlike other reviewers, I do not find it "easy listening", on the contrary. Especially if you know the violin pieces well, this recording will blow you away (or at least keep you wide awake at night). The reason is the dazzling lucidity of Galbraith's playing. Sure, on one (superficial) level, the emotional depth seems to be toned down. However, on a different (deeper) level, it's the opposite: by keeping the range of his speed and volume limited, Galbraith achieves a density and concentration I have never heard before in Bach's partitas. He practically forces you to put down the book that you might be reading at the same time, and to listen carefully. What a happy combination of technical brilliance and musical understanding of Bach's work.

Totally fresh, superb playing
I probably have 100 or so classical guitar recordings, and this one stands out from the others as boldly as the Segovia recordings, but for a totally different reason. The unique sound of the instrument, perfect playing, and lack of normal string noise took me quite by surprise. Very highly recommended.

Magnificent performance
I fell in love with Bach's music many years ago, and as a player of classical guitar I have had the pleasure of enjoying the great recordings of Bream, Segovia, Yepes, etc. I haven't been actively keeping up in this area of late, but a review of the Galbraith recordings of the Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas came to my attention, and I decided to jump back in. I feel fortunate that I did! I never thought my interest could be rekindled like this. Galbraith's interpretations of these pieces is deeply reverent of the music. Galbraith doesn't try to showcase his playing. Rather, he has clearly dedicated himself to understanding the music, and playing exquisitely detailed and unhurried performances that let the music speak for itself. For those of you who are new to this music, the Chaconne from the 2nd Partita is one of the crowning monuments of any music by any composer of any time. Each time I listen, I marvel at how much emotion comes from this profound and spare piece of music. As Galbraith says in the liner notes, this piece is "fathomless" in it's depth. Galbraith's slower-than-typical pace, and his reverent attention to each note and musical line is wholly up to the inspiration this piece demands. The performance is heart stopping. It brings me to tears each time I listen, and I have to remember to start breathing again when it's over. I think that both people familiar with this music and people new to it can find great enjoyment in these performances. END