Album insights
The celebrated Book 1 by Bach, cherished by the press and listeners, is now followed by the release of Part 2 of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier by Deutsche Grammophon, presented by harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock. In this recording, Pinnock, a conductor, harpsichordist, and icon of early music, unveils his deeply personal lifelong fascination with one of Bach's most intricate works. Playing these pieces, he feels that Bach composed them as much for himself as for the audience. Each interpretation of these preludes and fugues serves as a stepping stone for the performer on a path of learning, tracking alongside Bach on his pursuit of the infinite. Recorded on a harpsichord crafted by David Way inspired by an original by Henri Hemsch, Pinnock masterfully achieves a blend of auditory beauty and structural depth. Pinnock's approach, aiming to draw out a music imbued with language and soul from this simple instrument, promises an engaging interpretation of Bach's contrapuntal masterpiece, reflecting his status as a grandmaster of historically informed performance practice.