Johann Sebastian Bach's Die Kunst der Fuge (or The Art of the Fugue) is a highly academic work that takes a simple thematic subject through the various types of canonic and fugal writing in a succession of contrapuncti. Under the best of circumstances, this isn't one of Bach's more accessible compositions (it was also left unfinished and must be orchestrated for performance, resulting in readings that run the gamut from single keyboard to full orchestra), but here it's made even more peculiar by the Keller String Quartet's incomplete version that also includes seven pieces by a modern composer, Gy(rgy Kurt(g, inserted among the movements. The actual playing, on modern instruments, is refined, and it's captured here in sweet, resonant sound (with DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and PCM stereo options), but overall this performance is neither fish nor fowl: it certainly can't serve as a library edition of Bach's composition, and while the juxtaposition of baroque and modern sounds sometimes makes for an intriguing concert, it's hard to imagine anyone wanting to listen to it very often. Indeed, the most satisfying aspect of this disc are two tacked-on cello suites of Bach's (Nos. 1 and 5 of the six), beautifully performed on an (unfortunately unidentified) instrument of the composer's time by the masterly Anner Bylsma (some of his tempi are a bit deliberate, but he savors every measure). Optional. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
J.S. Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge/Cello Suites
(2000) 115 min. DVD: $19.99. Euroarts (dist. by Naxos of America). Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 1
J.S. Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge/Cello Suites
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