CD Review by Phillip Scott

BACH 2-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786 3-Part Inventions BWV 787-801 French Suite No.6. Partita No.2.
Little Preludes, BWV 933-943 Lute Prelude BWV 999 Preludes: BWV 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 930, 931
Fughetta: BWV 961 FuguesBWV 952-953 Preludes and Fughettas BWV 902a, 895, 899-900.
Andrea Bacchetti (pn) DYNAMIC 629 (2 CDs: 150:32)

Here is some enjoyable Bach playing. Bacchetti is an Italian pianist in his early thirties who has recorded Bach previously (along with a critically acclaimed disc of Berio’s solo piano music for Decca). His approach is detailed and expressive but not quirky, and he is sparing of “imitation harpsichord” staccato. Most of the time he is judicious in his use of ornamentation, although I found the Courante in the Partita a tad busy. Less is more with ornamentation, as I never tire of saying.
Bacchetti has fingers of steel when required in pieces such as the final Gigue of the French Suite or the F-Major Three-Part Inventions, but can also produce an Italianate singing line, as in the F-Minor Three-Part Inventions or the Sarabande from the Partita. His performance of the well-known F-Major Invention does not place a double accent over every note, as some pianists do; for that relief, much thanks. He finds a simple reverence in the Kleine Prelude in C, one of those so-called minor works that brings us closer to the heart of J.S. Bach. Above all, Bacchetti’s tempos are well chosen, and once he sets a tempo he does not vary it too radically, nor does he treat every cadence like a traffic intersection by applying the brakes on approach.
In a review of Bacchetti’s Goldberg Variations, Jerry Dubins mentioned that the pianist prefers a Fazioli piano. The make of piano is not specified here, but as some of the sessions took place in the Fazioli Concert Hall of Sacile, I think we can safely assume we are hearing a Fazioli.
The instrument’s sound is bright at forte and above, but mellows in the quieter dynamic range. Recording quality is good; timing is generous. Recommended. Phillip Scott