Bach - Performance on the Piano
Angela Hewitt

Hyperion DVDA68001 (2DVD)

Release date March 2008

There are two parts to this DVD recording. Part one is an illustrated lecture on the performance of Bach’s keyboard music on the piano, split into seven chapters dealing with interpretation, ornamentation, etc. These chapters are further divided into sections dealing with a specific aspect of the chapter topic. It is therefore ideal for use in a practical teaching situation; but it also provides an insight into the many aspects of performance that all musicians (not just Bach keyboard students) ought to consider. Hewitt illustrates all her points with excerpts from a wide range of Bach’s music. Each chapter is prefaced with a complete performance of a short piece or movement from a Bach keyboard work, and cellist Daniel Muller-Schott is enlisted to help demonstrate articulation and singing tone. The earlier chapters cover more basic material that all Bach students need to be aware of; the later chapters bring out the real benefit of Hewitt’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Bach’s music, especially when discussing the importance of dance in his output. As a harpsichord and piano enthusiast, I found her arguments in favour of using the piano (rather than the harpsichord) too subjective; it might have been better to say that in choosing to play Bach on the piano one is effectively transcribing the music for performance on an entirely different instrument, leaving aside personal preferences. Otherwise, I had no quibbles with her 2½ hour presentation. Her manner is slightly stilted at the very start of the lecture (recorded in Fazioli’s state-of-the-art piano factory near Venice in Italy), but she soon relaxes. She is very clear and articulate throughout, and varies her expression and delivery. The second disc features Hewitt in a live concert in Fazoli’s auditorium, playing Bach’s Partita no. 4 in D major, Italian Concerto and Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue.  This is not just an excellent value-for-money piano lesson; as an insight into what makes a musical performance (and not just in Bach’s music), this DVD ranks with the best master-classes.

Anne McAlister