Pavlo Beznosiuk - Bach Sonatas and Partitas - Early Music Review

My acid test for any recording of these pieces - after so many years of reviewing them in these pages - is "what makes this one different from those that go before?"  Truth be told, a few ornaments here and there, a slightly slower tempo than expected (but who on earth expects a certain tempo?), and a crisp, clear recording from label of the year are the answers.  Beznosiuk needs absolutely no recommendation from me - from Biber to Benda (and beyond, of course!), he is one of the UK's leading early fiddlers - and, in my book at least, he gets extra Brownie points for being prepared not only to explore repertoire off the beaten track but to champion it actively.  His take on the Bach solo violin music was always going to be worth hearing; whether or not this is the ultimate set for you depends on your expectations.