Bach : Partitas 2 & 6, Toccata BWV911. Fray.

Piano International (May, 2013)
David Fray’s coupling of Bach and Boulez on an earlier disc was a success. This all-Bach offering is less successful, despite its excellent recording. The Second Partita reveals playing that is less engaging than one might expect, and there is even the occasional impression that fingers may run away with themselves. The highlight is the Courante, fluid like running water. But Fray has neither the grasp of Bach’s processes nor the sense of communion breathed by Argerich in her famous Deutsche Grammophon disc. Indeed, he loses out to Argerich massively in the latter. Argerich is far more compelling, particularly in the final section. The Sixth Partita initially promises more but fails …