I’ve loved this work ever since the BBC broadcast video performances shared by -
Gavrilov, MacGregor, Demidenko & Hewitt
I then bought Schiff’s Bach set & Gould’s.
I’ve since also explored Feinberg’s and Richter’s sets.
Who do you guys count among your favourites in this hallowed repertoire?
I love Richter’s Book 1, and Sokolov is extraordinary in much of Book 2. Feinberg’s is a bit of an alternate take, but is highly worthwhile in both books. I rarely listen to any other complete sets, but beyond them I’d first say take a look at Fischer. Schiff offers quality musicianship, and he has my favourite Book II F minor, but I find his Bach too limpid and prettified. It works great in the Goldbergs, but I often have problems with it elsewhere. Several more good if you’re fine with selections - including Backhaus, who did not record a complete set.
What I heard from Gieseking was quite disappointing, even sloppy.
After the war, his level was not quite the same and in the 1950s he also had some health problems after a bus/car accident. Apart from that, he was simply too busy with teaching and concertizing, lacking time to be really well prepared for such huge projects as recording complete WTC.
I have to admit I didn’t listen to that much of it because the tuning bugged me, but I didn’t notice the sloppiness? I probably didn’t get far enough into it to hear that. I don’t think I really have a favourite WTC. I probably listen to Richter’s the most (usually the studio version). I don’t always agree with his interpretations, but he has this amazing ability to win me over even when my instincts go against what he does.
live Richter remains my favorite. But I’ve enjoyed Mustonen’s book 1 a lot lately, and Gould is a sentimental choice even though I’ve outgrown most of it.