Bach - Das Wohltemperierte Clavier (1988) [FLAC] {Davitt Moroney}

Bach: The Well-Tempered Claiver
[Das Wohltemperierte Clavier / Le Clavier Bien Tempere]
Davitt Moroney (harpsichord)

One of the best 'Well-Tempered' harpsichord versions
I prefer Moroney's version to Kenneth Gilbert's (apparently the other 'bigee' in the harpsichord field), and this one costs less. Moroney's boasts a very pleasant sounding harpsichord (i.e., won't make your teeth fall out) and an intimate performance that makes up in subtlty what it may lack in dynamic range (and that's just fine with me!). I won't get into the piano vs. harpsichord (or other period instrument) debate, but if you're curious about how this amazing, monumental work probably sounded to its composer, I suggest you look no further. Harmonia Mundi just recently reissued this performance as part of a bigger set - also looks like a great deal to me!

Hummable Bach?
Everybody knows that Bach was a master of counterpoint, but Davitt Moroney's version of WTC makes you realise just how great his melodies are, too. Moroney's version is breezy and lyrical, while at the same time never failing to keep to the tight structures of the fugues. In many cases here, the preludes especially shine (particularly in Book II, where the repeats allow Moroney to stretch out a bit)--it may even be possible to say that he has fun with the music. The recording itself is very intimate, as if the instrument were built right into the headphones, allowing the listener to follow all the fugal lines very clearly. Anyone wary of investing in this set, afraid of four hours of "theoretical" harpsichord music, need not fear--this recording will have you humming its subjects in no time. And the budget price is an added bonus--I can't believe that Harmonia Mundi is offering this set so cheaply. A must-have for any lover of Bach.

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 846 (1.1) Praeludium I (1.2) Fuga I - C Major
2. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 847 (2.1) Praeludium II (2.2) Fuga II - C Minor
3. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 848 (3.1) Praeludium III (3.2) Fuga III - C Sharp Major
4. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 849 (4.1) Praeludium IV (4.2) Fuga IV - C Sharp Minor
5. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 850 (5.1) Praeludium V (5.2) Fuga V - D Major
6. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 851 (6.1) Praeludium VI (6.2) Fuga VI - D Minor
7. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 852 (7.1) Praeludium VII (7.2) Fuga VII - E Flat Major
8. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 853 (8.1) Praeludium VIII (8.2) Fuga VIII - E Flat Minor
9. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 854 (9.1) Praeludium IX (9.2) Fuga IX - E Major
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 855 (10.1) Praeludium X (10.2) Fuga X - E Minor
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 856 (11.1) Praeludium XI (11.2) Fuga XI - F Major
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: BWV 857 (12.1) Praeludium XII (12.2) Fuga XII - F Minor

Disc: 2
1. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XIII BWV 858 F Sharp Major
2. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XIV BWV 859 F Sharp Minor
3. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XV BWV 860 G Major
4. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XVI BWV 861 G Minor
5. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XVII BWV 862 A Flat Major
6. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XVIII BWV 863 G Sharp Minor
7. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XIX BWV 864 A Major
8. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XX BWV 865 A Minor
9. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXI BWV 866 B Flat Major
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXII BWV 867 B Flat Minor
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXIII BWV 868 B Major
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXIV BWV 869 B Minor

Disc: 3
1. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - I BWV 870 C Major
2. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - II BWV 871 C Minor
3. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - III BWV 872 C Sharp Major
4. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - IV BWV 873 C Sharp Minor
5. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - V BWV 874 D Major
6. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - VI BWV 875 D Minor
7. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - VII BWV 876 E Flat Major
8. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - VIII BWV 877 D Sharp Minor
9. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - IX BWV 878 E Major
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - X BWV 879 E Minor
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - XI BWV 880 F Major
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: Davitt Moroney - XII BWV 881 F Minor

Disc: 4
1. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XIII BWV 882 F Sharp Major
2. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XIV BWV 883 F Sharp Minor
3. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XV BWV 884 G Major
4. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XVI BWV 885 G Minor
5. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XVII BWV 886 A Flat Major
6. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XVIII BWV 887 G Sharp Minor
7. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XIX BWV 888 A Major
8. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XX BWV 889 A Minor
9. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXI BWV 890 B Flat Major
10. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXII BWV 891 B Flat Minor
11. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXIII BWV 892 B Major
12. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier - BWV 846-893: XXIV BWV 893 B Minor