Maurizio Pollini (piano) Deutsche Grammophon 477 8078 (2 CDs) *****

Maurizio Pollini is no stranger to Bach, and Bach is no stranger to Pollini’s concert programmes. But this complete recording of the first book of the

Well- Tempered Clavier

is the great Italian pianist’s first Bach recording. And an impressive achievement it is. Pollini doesn’t seem interested in seducing the ear, or making things as easy as possible for the listener. His Bach is rather more severe and rugged than that. He favours genuinely multi-layered textures over simplifications

into single- line melodic foregrounds with multi- stranded backgrounds in a way that may be more challenging than many listeners will like. He gives the impression of wanting and knowing how to convey the complexity of Bach’s writing with a consistency and thoroughness that most players would shun.

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