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Bach/Rummell Piano Transcriptions

JONATHAN PLOWRIGHT

 

Hyperion CDA67481/2 [134 mins]

 

Ertödt’ uns durch dein’ Güte from Cantata 22; Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig from Cantata 26; Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier BWV731; Vater unser im Himmelreich BWV760; Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan from Cantata 99; Das alte Jahr vergangen ist BWV614; Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn from Cantata 4; Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten from Cantata 78; Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen from Cantata 12; Mein gläubiges Herze, frohlocke, sing, scherze from Cantata 68; O Menschen, die ihr täglich sündigt from Cantata 122; Das Brausen von den rauhen Winden from Cantata 92; Die Welt ist wie ein Rauch und Schatten from Cantata 94; Zu Tanze, zu Sprunge from Cantata 201; Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal from Cantata 146; Dein Name gleich der Sonnen geh from Cantata 173a; Lass dich nimmer von der Liebe berücken from Cantata 203; Stürze zu Boden from Cantata 126; Dich hab’ ich je und je geliebt from Cantata 49; O Gott, du frommer Gott! from Cantata 94; Esurientes implevit bonis from Magnificat BWV243; Gelobet sei mein Gott from Cantata 129; Die Seele ruht in Jesu Händen from Cantata 127; Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir from Cantata 130; Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her from Christmas Oratorio BWV248

Very different from the better known Busoni transcriptions, this fascinating double-CD introduces us to the twenty-five surviving transcriptions by Walter Rummel, a Godowsky pupil who had a huge reputation in his time.

The unusual feature is that they contain many Cantata arias, which allow for more florid virtuosity than the organ works. Jonathan Plowright is a distinguished British pianist, not often to be heard in London. He made big contributions as recitalist and teaching in master class to our local 'Pianoworks Festivals' at Blackheath Concert Halls.

These are invigorating to hear, composer and interpreter relishing 'the difficulties inherent in condensing the numerous musical lines of a choir and orchestra into a meaningful piano score'. As Rummel wrote (and it can be said equally of Plowright's performances): ‘The composer bewitches music, holding it captive behind the prison of five lines; but the interpreter breaks the spell that holds the bewitched princess, he frees Music.’

A release which Bach-lovers and collectors of transcendent pianism should not pass by.

 

© Peter Grahame Woolf