Bach: Goldberg Variations - Pierre Hantaï

Pierre Hantaï performs a meticulous rendition of Bachs' Goldberg Variations, but he doesn't provide much excitement or humour.

Composer: JS Bach
Repertoire: Goldberg Variations
Artists: Pierre Hantaï (harpsichord)
Rating: 2/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: Mirare MIR9945

French keyboardist Hantaï gives a somewhat laborious account of Bach’s anaesthetic variations written for a sleepless count. His instrument jangles like a clumsy mechanical music box when it wants a sugar plum sparkle. Perhaps the mechanism slows him up. One is used to a certain zip at the pianoforte. His interpretation is studious, precise and reverent but lacks humour. The famous cabbage and turnips Quodlibet, the last variation, misses the joke. It’s the way you play ’em.