This double album is one of the only two recordings in existence, featuring Bach's complete Six Sonatas & Partitas for violin solo (BWV 1001-1006) performed on viola.

31 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Traditional



Details:
His 2-CD Set of the Complete J. S. Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin, played on Viola a perfect fifth lower.

The challenge is not the monodic (single-melody-line) movements, but the chordal works, namely the 3 Fugues and Chaconne. These are hard enough on violin, but with the larger stretches of the viola, most violists run away from the challenge. I know these pieces well, and they are old favorites (of mine). Mr. Deych's interpretation of them is profound, to say the least.

These recordings of the Bach Unaccompanied are wonderful! And they are not spliced-during-movements, to achieve an "artificially perfect" recording, but are the best takes of whole-movements. In a few rare spots, there are a few out-of-tune chords, but no actually wrong notes. Musically they show great depth of interpretation, and endearing passion. The focus on the subtlest details show the heart of an artist, who I think should be remembered in history.

Bravo to Mr. Alex Deych on these poetic and masterful Bach Unaccompanied recordings!


"Bear" Thomas C. Woodson
Composer at the
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, USA