bach, johann sebastian
Bach in köthen

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AllMusic Review by James Manheim [-]
This is a 1991 performance by the German guitar duo Klaus and Rainer Feldmann, reissued in 2012 by Membran Music's New Classical Adventures series in Germany. You can see why they chose it: the sort of recording it exemplifies, namely one in which the guitar is deployed straightforwardly playing complete works in serious mainstream repertory, is still not common. The Feldmann brothers argue that guitars and lutes were present in the musical milieu connected with Anna Magdalena Bach, the milieu that produced the so-called French Suites for harpsichord presented here, and that while a duo-guitar performance of the suites is not exactly based on the historical record, it's certainly conceivable. The presentation in the CD booklet is aimed at general audiences but filled with intriguing specific detail, such as a stone tablet at Köthen Castle reading, "In the years 1717-1723 J.S. Bach created everlasting works of art at this place. Be proud of him, country, but be worthy of him." The performances are clean, crisp, and nicely unlabored; the Feldmanns connect with the didactic aspects of these suites. Glenn Gould it's not, but the music is straightforward and satisfying. If the 1991 sound is a concern, don't let it be; guitar recordists today could learn a lot from the clear, unfussy recordings here. Recommended for guitar lovers.

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