RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue) (1748-50)
Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
rec. 2007 (no date given), Radialsystem V, Berlin
Film director: Uli Aumüller
Sound format: PCM stereo
Picture format: 16:9
Picture standard: NTSC
Region code: 0
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 467 [82:00]
Rarely have I watched a classical music DVD that has drawn me into the music
the way this one did. Granted, Die Kunst der Fuge is one of my favourite
pieces of music, and it’s one that always makes me pay attention. While it
may be considered to be cerebral, “didactic” music, it is nevertheless a series
of variations that stands head-and-shoulders over all other variation sequences.
Beyond the music, this DVD stands out by taking the viewer on stage, among
the musicians as they perform. With a group of 22 instrumentalists - sixteen
strings, four winds (trombone, oboe, oboe de caccia and bassoon), organ and
harpsichord - the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin presents here a unique arrangement
of Bach’s work. Using constantly changing groups of musicians to play the
different sections, the cameras and lighting help focus on those playing,
even taking the viewer in amongst the performers. While this was performed
live, in front of an audience, it is actually surprising to see some of the
camera angles and close-ups: there must have been at least one cameraman on
stage with a steadicam. The musicians deserve credit for not being disturbed
- though the audience may have been irked by this. This camera work, with
its many close-ups, combined with the innovative lighting and placement of
the musicians, makes the film of the work almost as interesting as the music.
There’s an initial organ chorale which is not part of the work, and seems
out of place. After this Die Kunst der Fuge begins with a string quartet
playing the first fugue, then the four winds playing the next one. All sixteen
strings then take their turn, and each part of the work features a different
configuration of musicians: sometimes a solo harpsichord or organ, sometimes
a string duo or trio, and even once the organ with two winds. The variety
of orchestrations highlights the different colours of the canons and fugues,
and makes this one of the most delightful versions of this work that I’ve
heard.
In spite of this being a live performance, there are no noticeable errors
in the performance, and the musicians are clearly absorbed in their playing.
While the sound is only in stereo - a surround-sound mix would have been nice,
given the “in-your-face” approach to filming - it is excellently recorded.
Whether you’re a fan of Bach’s Art of Fugue or not, this DVD will help
you (re)discover this wonderful music. This is one of the finest classical
DVDs I’ve seen; one of the rare filmed performances that actually is worth
filming for the aesthetics and direction.
Kirk McElhearn