The last time I wrote about this was back in 2021, when I wrote about the Gustav Leonhardt recording. He played it on the original instrument, where pianist Andras Schiff gives the piano a chance. These two are interesting for a comparison.
At first thought the two can hardly be any different. Gustav Leonhardt sought to get close to Bach by examining him like a scholar studies a medieval manuscript. He portrays the Bach he finds by getting out of the way: the composer speaks, not the interpreter. András Schiff tries to live the music himself, bringing Bach alive in the most humane way possible. He plays a modern grand Steinway piano, creating sound as clear as crystal.
Historically correct or not, I do like this version better than Leonhardt’s. I just cannot get over the nervous sounds of the harpsichord. In my previous article I have ranted about Glenn Gould’s edition (which I still don’t like), but I have mellowed a bit over the use of piano I think. Change and growth, hurray!