Rating: 3/5
Review:
Not a great interpretation
I'm afraid I didn't think this set was all that good. There is nothing actively wrong with it; Krystof Barati is plainly a very capable
violinist whose technique is up to the challenge of these demanding works, but
as an interpretation of Bach I didn't enjoy it that much. In the mighty chaconne from the D minor
Partita, for example, it seems to me that Barati's over-vigorous attack is not
a substitute for intensity of feeling.
He goes in for a lot of aggressive hammering at downbeats and there is a
slightly show-offy feel to some of the quicker passages which are taken very
quickly indeed. However, there should
also be mystery, spirituality and tenderness here (and throughout the Sonatas
and Partitas) which I simply don't find in Barati's playing. None of this is helped for me by a rather
distant over-resonant acoustic.
The set does have its moments; the Prelude to the E major
Partita, for example, skips and dances very pleasingly (although, again, the
acoustic doesn't do it any favours) and there are other places where Barati
brings the music to life, but overall I think this lacks much of the depth,
subtlety and thoughtfulness of people like Rachel Podger, Isabelle Faust,
Viktoria Mullova and others.
Some other people don't share my view and have enjoyed this
set very much, but given the great recordings which I already have, personally
I can't really recommend it.
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