Tacet’s Koroliov Series has now reached its 23rd volume. And it is still worthwhile to listen to what this pianist has to say. The listener experiences wonderful interpretations of the Partitas Nos. 1, 2 & 6. At first glance it looks as if Koroliov is fully in the line of the Russian school. But one soon realises that although the pianist prefers a rich and sonorous sound, which would have fitted Beethoven well, he always concentrates on the accurate characterization of the individual movements. Thus, many things appear elegantly virtuoso as in Chopin or nuanced in colour and impressionistic as with Debussy. The pianist, who is now 71 years old, is technically excellent, he plays with concentration, precision and dynamism and thus this Bach harbours a whole universe in which composers such as Beethoven, Chopin or Debussy are guests and show what a great influence Bach’s music had on all the composers who followed him. It should be noted that Koroliov’s interpretations follow a well thought-out and conclusive concept, which in addition allows for all the emotionality and unique intimate moments of these partitas. In this sense we are already looking forward to the next CD with Koroliov’s Bach Partitas 3, 4 & 5.
Alain Steffen<< back