HELMUT WALCHA, HARPSICHORD : J. S. BACH - THE WELL- TEMPERED  CLAVIER # 1-12

EMI /HMV , STEREO , UK PRESS.

RECORD / SLEEVE : EX / EX --------------------------------Walcha had poor eyesight since childhood, and was fully blind by sixteen. He learned new pieces by having musicians (including his mother in his childhood and his wife in later years), play for him four times (each hand separately, the pedal part separately, and the complete piece). Having perfect pitch, he would memorise the piece while listening.

The inner vision capacities of the blind have been well documented but perhaps never so compellingly as with Walcha's recordings. They are an extraordinary example not only of the human and his music but also of the human spirit. Helmut Walcha could envision Bach's multiple lines simultaneously and share each of them with the listener, not crowding them with unnecessary ranks for the sake of volume, enabling the sheer drama of the music, a view of its architectural genius, and allowing attention to any line at any time. (from Bach cantatas)