Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for solo violin

Among the younger generation of violinists, Germany's Isabelle Faust (b.1972) has made a special impression as a deep, thoughtful, unshowy player, and these qualities make her ideally suited to the great Bach solo works. Some may find her approach cool, but it is perfectly balanced; her command of the big structures, especially the huge C major Fugue and D minor Chaconne, is superb. Elsewhere, one might yearn for a bit more abandon in the fast movements, yet they have both technical command and classical poise.