Watchorn's new WTC 2 recording (being released in November)

This week I've been listening multiple times through a pre-release copy of WTC book 2, played by Peter Watchorn on pedal harpsichord. The playing is very intense, but also with a straightforward purity that allows us simply to hear everything that's going on. Watchorn takes all repeats (3 discs for scarcely the price of 2), and the instruments and tuning sound astounding.

Some of the keys that sound especially beautiful and poignant to me here, in comparison with other recordings: C minor, C# minor, Eb major, D# minor, E major, F major, F minor, F# major, F# minor, Ab major, G# minor, Bb major, and B major. The Affekt in the performance goes far beyond what one ordinarily hears in this music. There is furthermore an uncommonly strong sense of linear motion, but without sounding pressed.

In some of the fugues, for a big finish, Watchorn brings in 16-foot pedal...and it's like that goosebump spot in the B minor Mass's "Gratias agimus tibi" and "Dona nobis pacem" where the timpani accentuate a subject entrance. Really thrilling music.

I haven't seen the booklet yet, but I believe he's reusing my essay from book 1 of a few years ago, as he did with the inventions/sinfonias.

Recording details:
http://www.musicaomnia.org/PDF/mo0202.pdf
http://www.musicaomnia.org/index2.htm

Book 1 and the inventions/sinfonias:
http://www.musicaomnia.org/bachharpsichord.asp

Enjoy,

Brad Lehman