J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, BWV 870-893

Trevor Pinnock

Released on 08/04/2022 by Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
Main artists: Trevor Pinnock
Genre: Classical

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A pioneer of historically informed baroque music back in the 1970s, Trevor Pinnock had fallen somewhat off the recording radar in recent years. His recordings of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos and Orchestral Suites alongside violinist Simon Standage caused a real sensation, remaining a reference recording for years. The role of this great musician as an instrumentalist had almost been forgotten.

It was as an organist and harpsichordist that he made his debut in the late 1960s, playing in the first baroque music ensembles in London. He then released numerous solo recordings devoted to Jean-Philippe Rameau and, of course, Johann Sebastian Bach (in honour of whom he recorded highly acclaimed versions of a whole series of works, including the entire Concertos for Harpsichord, Six Partitas and the renowned Goldberg Variations, a composition that has inspired so many versions that people have stopped keeping track).

Pinnock has only recently returned to the stage, recording the First Book of The Well-Tempered Clavier for Deutsche Grammophon in 2020, which was well-received internationally (and very well-received by Qobuz). Now, Trevor Pinnock is back with his anticipated Second Book, recorded in Canterbury in September 2021. On it, he plays on a replica of a Hemsch harpsichord which was made by American harpischord builder Davis Way in 1982. This double recording is the result of a lifetime of practice and reflection: Trevor Pinnock first encountered The Well-Tempered Clavier around the age of twelve. But this monumental masterpiece seemed insurmountable, so it was only in later years that he finally decided to record it.

This Second Book largely fulfils what the First Book promised, demonstrating the same solid understanding of counterpoint and the unique combination of both sensory and intellectual proficiency. Plus, it maintains a youthful wonder that never seeks to be scholastic. The recording also benefits from the subtle timbres of the chosen instrument which has been tuned to an unequal temperament which sounds great in all tones and maintains variation in the colour of the keys. © François Hudry/Qobuz

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J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, BWV 870-893

Trevor Pinnock

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The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, BWV 870-893 / Prelude & Fugue in C Major, BWV 870 (Johann Sebastian Bach)

I. Prelude