András Schiff, born in 1953 in Budapest, is nowadays one of the most appreciated and distinguished pianists in the world. Magically, he brings life into pieces, makes them breathe and swing, and keeps up almost forgotten ideals of piano playing.

Surely J S Bach’s French Suites, which he composed during his years at Cöthen (1717–1723), are among the finest inducements to practise that any teacher has ever made to a pupil. In his case, Bach wrote them for his young wife, Anna Magdalena. The over-riding impression left by these suites is one of endearing tunefulness.

Clavier-Übung II is a later collection of didactic keyboard pieces. It comprises two greatly contrasted works: the Italian Concerto and the Overture in the French Style. These performances admirably demonstrate the thoughtful and persuasive approach that András Schiff adopts when performing Bach.

This Concert recording is accompanied with some interviews with András Schiff, which enriches and completes the great experience of the concert. During the interview, Schiff sits at the Steinway piano and explains the French Suites which Bach composed during 1722 and 1725 for Cembalo, and its closeness to Bach’s Goldberg variations and Orchestra suites. He plays a short passage of a Suite, explains it and plays again, but then he interrupts himself once again. This happens without script but with refreshing spontaneity and directness. Completing this part, you can see András Schiff at the Thomas Church and Bach Museum where he talks about Bach’s years in Leipzig, his musical and personal development.

“Shiff’s flexible tempo style that results from his thinking in the bigger picture, is perhaps the most compelling aspect of his pianism. Here someone manages the seemingly impossible synthesis of delicate sparkling single notes and much more widely thought architecture. A music that seems to reach into infinity, funny as Scarlatti or Haydn distinguished, witty - and uplifting beautiful.” - Leipziger Volkszeitung

Bonus: Schiff explains Bach

Picture format: 1080i Full HD - 16:9
Sounds formats: PCM 2.0 PCM 5.1
Region code: 0
Bonus-Original Language: German
Bonus-Subtitles: English, French
Running time: 168 mins (134 mins Performance + 34 mins Bonus)
FSK: 0