Dinnerstein, Simone / Bach: A Strange Beauty
| Album: | Bach: A Strange Beauty | Collection: | Classical | |
| Artist: | Dinnerstein, Simone | Added: | Mar 2011 | |
| Label: | Sony Classical | |||
A-File Activity
| Add Date: | 2011-04-24 | Pull Date: | 2011-06-26 | Charts: | Classical/Experimental |
|---|
| Week Ending: | Jun 19 | May 29 | May 22 | May 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airplays: | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Recent Airplay
| 1. | Nov 14, 2018: | Audio Ambrosia
Part Ii, English Suite No 3 In G Minor Part I, Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen Gmein, Part Iii, Part Ii, Keyboard Concerto No 1 In D Minor Part I |
4. | May 20, 2011: | gilt
Keyboard Concerto No 1 In D Minor Part I, Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ |
|
| 2. | Jun 16, 2011: | feelin' the music
Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen Gmein |
5. | Apr 28, 2011: | Lost Verses
Part Iv |
|
| 3. | May 23, 2011: | Mixed Up Class
Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein, BWV 734 |
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Album Review
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2011-04-17
Reviewed 2011-04-17
In 2007, a little known pianist from NYC self financed her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations and added it to the catalog next to giants like Glen Gould and Murray Perahia. (Gould’s is one of the best selling classical records of all-time .) A surprise hit, she sold huge and got rave reviews. Now Simone Dinnerstein is a Really Big Deal on Sony Classical.
Here’s her follow-up disc: a sort of “My Favorite Bach” showcase, which debuted #1 on Billboard Classical and in the top 200 Billboard overall. While definitely a well-known and audience friendly set, this is no Classical-lite. Her playing is absolutely gorgeous. Love it!
No FCC issues.
Sacred choral pieces transcribed for solo piano.
1. * "Ich ruf zu, Herr Jesu Christ" ("I call to you, Lord Jesus Christ") Nice start to the CD. Slow, peaceful, inspiring. Like a prayer. Hushed end. (3:48)
5. ** "Nun freut euch, leiben Christen g'mein" ("Rejoice Dear Christians together") Slow and stately, shifts to lightening fast. Sounds like two playing. Brilliant. (2:32)
15. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" One of Bach’s most famous and loved melodies. (3:53)
Tracks 2-4. ** Keyboard Concerto No. 5 (piano with chamber orchestra)
A wonderful mix of tempo, dynamics, instruments. Great work; outstanding performance.
I. Allegro (fast). * Perfect short piece. Piano runs along playfully, the orchestra chases her. (3:22)
II. Largo (very slow). **Simple, almost Beethovenly-beautiful melody. Exquisite. (2:56)
III. Presto (way fast). **What one thinks of as Baroque. Complex, decorative, fun. (2:57)
Tracks 6-11. English Suite - collection of short dance-like movements for solo piano
6. Prelude. *Very fast (probably presto) and intricate. Tremendous virtuosity. (2:58)
7. Allemande. Mid tempo, stately, formal. (5:07)
8. Courante. *Very fast. A dance form but really a toccata-like show-off piece. (2:06)
9. Sarabande. Slow. One imagines the dancers bowing to each a lot. (4:19)
10. Gavotte. *Ah that’s better! Fast again, lively, rhythmic. Surprising dissonance. (2:52)
11. Gigue. **Super fast 3/4 (like later scherzos). Highly syncopated between the two hands. How does she do it? Awesome. (2:27)
Tracks 12-14. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 (piano with chamber orchestra)
Longer, deeper, and more melancholy than Cto No. 5. Great if you’ve got the time.
I. Allegro (fast). Long, complex piece. Piano & orch are more like equal partners here than on the other concerto. Some astonishing passages. (8:08)
II. Adagio (slow). Somber. Lots of low strings. Lots of decorative Baroque trills. (7:19)
III. Allegro. **Whew! Gets you going again after part II downer. Lively & fun. (7:21)
Here’s her follow-up disc: a sort of “My Favorite Bach” showcase, which debuted #1 on Billboard Classical and in the top 200 Billboard overall. While definitely a well-known and audience friendly set, this is no Classical-lite. Her playing is absolutely gorgeous. Love it!
No FCC issues.
Sacred choral pieces transcribed for solo piano.
1. * "Ich ruf zu, Herr Jesu Christ" ("I call to you, Lord Jesus Christ") Nice start to the CD. Slow, peaceful, inspiring. Like a prayer. Hushed end. (3:48)
5. ** "Nun freut euch, leiben Christen g'mein" ("Rejoice Dear Christians together") Slow and stately, shifts to lightening fast. Sounds like two playing. Brilliant. (2:32)
15. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" One of Bach’s most famous and loved melodies. (3:53)
Tracks 2-4. ** Keyboard Concerto No. 5 (piano with chamber orchestra)
A wonderful mix of tempo, dynamics, instruments. Great work; outstanding performance.
I. Allegro (fast). * Perfect short piece. Piano runs along playfully, the orchestra chases her. (3:22)
II. Largo (very slow). **Simple, almost Beethovenly-beautiful melody. Exquisite. (2:56)
III. Presto (way fast). **What one thinks of as Baroque. Complex, decorative, fun. (2:57)
Tracks 6-11. English Suite - collection of short dance-like movements for solo piano
6. Prelude. *Very fast (probably presto) and intricate. Tremendous virtuosity. (2:58)
7. Allemande. Mid tempo, stately, formal. (5:07)
8. Courante. *Very fast. A dance form but really a toccata-like show-off piece. (2:06)
9. Sarabande. Slow. One imagines the dancers bowing to each a lot. (4:19)
10. Gavotte. *Ah that’s better! Fast again, lively, rhythmic. Surprising dissonance. (2:52)
11. Gigue. **Super fast 3/4 (like later scherzos). Highly syncopated between the two hands. How does she do it? Awesome. (2:27)
Tracks 12-14. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 (piano with chamber orchestra)
Longer, deeper, and more melancholy than Cto No. 5. Great if you’ve got the time.
I. Allegro (fast). Long, complex piece. Piano & orch are more like equal partners here than on the other concerto. Some astonishing passages. (8:08)
II. Adagio (slow). Somber. Lots of low strings. Lots of decorative Baroque trills. (7:19)
III. Allegro. **Whew! Gets you going again after part II downer. Lively & fun. (7:21)
Track Listing