Luc Beausejour - Well-Tempered Clavier, Bk 2 [CD]

When Luc Beauséjour recorded Book I of the Well-tempered Clavier [8.557625-26] he was hailed by International Piano for 'his instinct for discovering exactly the right tempo; his playing is so natural'. He turns now to Book II of the Preludes and Fugues in all twenty-four keys, assembled for publication in 1742. A number of the pieces survive in earlier versions from previous decades, which Bach revised or transposed. Together with Book I, this constitutes one of the pinnacles of Western music. This new release of Book 2 of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier completes Luc Beauséjour's set of 'The 48'. The first volume (8.557625-26) was received warmly by the critics: Limelight Magazine considering Beauséjour's playing "engaging and convincing, flowing easily without mannerisms, and always with a strong sense of line", and International Piano admiring his "instinct for discovering exactly the right tempo and his restrained use of ornaments. Above all his phrasing is so natural that he convinces you he is gently crescendoing and decrescendoing when clearly this is impossible." It has been over seven years since this first release and it remains one of the finest harpsichord recordings of this ever popular music. We have no doubt that the arrival of Book 2 will be seized eagerly by countless connoisseurs.