Bach Keyboard Works. Martha Argerich (pf).

DG Galleria (Mid  price) (Cassette) 423 880-4GGA; (CD) 423 880-2GGA (50 minutes: ADD). From 2531 088 (4/80).

Toccata in C minor, BWV911. Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826. English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807.

I share JOCs pleasant surprise at the quality of Martha Argerich's Bach pianism and cannot help wondering why, over eight years later, this remains the only solo recording of it. She knows that the piano neither can nor should try to sound like a harpsichord, but does not abuse the difference: the piano she uses has 'clange potential' but it is eschewed, her hairpins are kept on short rein—I cannot believe that baroque musicians avoided them altogether when their instruments permitted, and the music implied them, and only in the Gigue of BWV807 do I find her staccato a little intrusive. Three arts are happily brought together in this programme: those of Bach's musical genius, of deeply accomplished and thoughtful pianism, and of crystalline recording.

JD