[.ca] Toccatas

From Amazon.com:
A toccata--from the Italian word meaning "to touch"--was originally a glorified keyboard warm-up, in which scales and arpeggios were tossed off with improvisatory abandon. But as Angela Hewitt shows, Bach's youthful forays into this genre were finely wrought gems, masterpieces in miniature. This dazzling CD matches the extraordinarily high standards she has set herself in the complete keyboard Bach she is building up year by year. Her touch is springy and muscular, her pulse rock-steady; the more anarchic Bach's fancy becomes, the more rigorously she controls its expression. Taking her cue from the absence of autograph manuscripts, she puts these works into a satisfying running order, so we can savor them as we would at a recital. The liner notes are--as usual with this coruscating communicator--a performance in themselves. Musical commentary is seldom so fresh, or so illuminating for those who want to follow in her footsteps. And yes, she makes a brilliant case for the piano in Bach: in these 65 glorious minutes, there's not one dull moment. --Michael Church

Sublime, joyous music-making:
One of the current glories of the already glorious Hyperion catalog is the ongoing traversal of JS Bach's keyboard music by the tremendously gifted Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt. This latest release of the seven toccatas is no exception. Miss Hewitt's beautiful tone, terrific ear for balance and counterpoint coupled with her dancing sense of rhythm and wonderfully judged rubato make for a joyous listening experience. She has also taken the seven pieces out of their published order and arranged them to make a pleasing program. This CD would make an excellent gift for any Bach lover or devotee of great piano playing.

Beautiful:
Beautifully played, and beautifully written...it is an interesting collection, but certainly not the best of Bach. However, that something so simplistic can be so beautiful, does make one appreciate Bach's genius all the more. I found it very lovely, and what one might call the "easy listening" of classical music...but it is assuredly NOT Bach's most masterfully crafted work. Truly, it is glorified to a fault. As for the pianist, her talent is obvious...that she could make such old-line, straight music so lively and beautiful...says a lot about her skill in itself! If you intend to buy this, it should be to hear a talented young pianist...for the music is of the rather dull caliber of a typical vocalise.

• Toccata in C minor
• Toccata in G major
• Toccata in F sharm minor
• Toccata in E minor
• Toccata in D minor
• Toccata in G minor
• Toccata in D major