Bach: Suites for Solo Lute/ Guitar: BWV.995-1000/ 1006a

[Jared]

Now, I don't have any recordings of these works as yet and there doesn't appear to be any out and out favourite in this field...

I have considered the Sollscher (DG), Isbin (Classics) and Williams (Sony) among others but don't really know which to go for... also, do you have versions played on lute and guitar, or do you prefer one instrument to the other?

I'll look forward to your replies...

[fergus]

I only have the John Williams on Sony and although it is a fine enough disc I have to be honest and say that I do not play it very often Jared.

[Jared]

I only have the John Williams on Sony and although it is a fine enough disc I have to be honest and say that I do not play it very often Jared.

thanks Fergus, I knew it would be a slightly obscure request, and wondered whether I'd get any responses...

[fergus]

If I was in the market for those works now Jared I would definitely be hunting down a version on lute. Lutes and guitars are obviously very different instruments and therefore transcriptions are involved and, not matter how close the relationship, there has to be some loss involved. Besides, the lute would be closer to authentic.

[Seán]

Bach? Obscure on Tír Na HiFi? No way baby!

I have to confess that I am different from most western males in that I don't have my head up my a@se about the bloody guitar.

I have a John William's 2 CD Bach set that includes the 1006a, it is a fine set.




And my young lad has the Segovia recordings of Bach's BWV1000 - 1006 and more besides. I do like Segovia:

[Jared]

^^ thanks for your enthusiastic response, Sean!

[Seán]

^^ thanks for your enthusiastic response, Sean!

Ah you're very welcome Jared, now and always.

[fergus]

I have to confess that I am different from most western males in that I don't have my head up my a@se about the bloody guitar.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the guitar Seán. It is an instrument that I have played myself for more years than I care to remember. Technically, a very difficult instrument to play properly and that is the issue with it. People pick it up and expect to be Segovia or Hendrix in about two weeks and therin can lie the problem with "most western males"....they play the instrument poorly, not that Williams does BTW.

[Seán]

I have to confess that I am different from most western males in that I don't have my head up my a@se about the bloody guitar.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the guitar Seán. It is an instrument that I have played myself for more years than I care to remember. Technically, a very difficult instrument to play properly and that is the issue with it. People pick it up and expect to be Segovia or Hendrix in about two weeks and therin can lie the problem with "most western males"....they play the instrument poorly, not that Williams does BTW.

I never said there was anything wrong with the guitar, Fergus. There was no offence intended either. And it is true to say that when a young lad looks to play an instrument invariably it's the guitar, I see young lads who play other instruments well give up in favour of the electric guitar, which is a pity, that's life.

I rarely listen to guitar music these days and when I do it's Giuliani's music. I know that it is a difficult instrument to play but I have grown tired of listening to it, sorry.

If I was in the market for Bach's music I'd opt for the Lute too.

[Ciaran]

I like Paul Odette



"the fastest lute in the west". It contains 995, 1001 and 1006a. Billed as Vol. 1, but five years later, no sign of Vol. 2. I'll buy it if it appears!