Music by J.S. Bach

Press, 19 April 1985, Page 4

Music by J.S. Bach

Music by J. S. Bach, presented by Maurice Till and Walter Goedde at the Great Hall, Arts Centre, April 18, 8 p.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman. From E major to G minor, Maurice Till last evening continued his steady chromatic climb through the 24 keys of Bach’s “Well Tempered Clavier” (Book I). Numbers nine to 16 came under scrutiny, some fared better than others, but over all, these middle eight of the set of 24 preludes and fugues were given a creditable airing. Number 10 in E minor and No. 15 in G major were among the most efficiently dispatched fugues of the evening. Their lively subjects were cleanly unfolded with pleasing zest and excellent momentum.

In contrasting mood and pace, the tenth and the fourteenth prelude were both given favourably tender treatment. Phrasings were well defined, and the melodies carefully crafted. Perhaps the most satisfying pieces, though, were the eleventh and sixteenth fugues. Both were spaciously drawn, and carried a gracious air of nobility. Elsewhere, however, a number of the pieces were given sluggish treatment. Too often, the music seemed to lose direction, either through fumbled articulation or loosely defined rhythmic patterning. Fugue No. 9, to name but one, was given little more than a mechanical reading of most of the notes. Nevertheless, Mr Till maintained a fine sense of

continuity throughout. With few exceptions, interest in the music was easily sustained. Twice as stylish and polished to even a further degree on his appearance at the Christchurch Festival a year ago, Walter Goedde gave a riveting performance of Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G major for unaccompanied cello. This was a solo performance of quality — an all-too-rare blend of thorough preparation, excellent technique, and wideranging expression. Of the six pieces that comprise the suite, the graceful lines of the prelude and the remarkable rapid finger work of the courante perhaps had the most impact. The brisk, sprightly rhythms of the gigue provided an infectiously spirited close.