Bach's Toccatas are basically fantasies, with an unlimited range of themes of all form and character. In D major toccata the recitativo's improvisatory style is alternated with more schematic and contrapuntal parts: after a brief introduction we have an Allegro, characterized by a playful and redundant theme; then we have a meditative recitativo, which introduces a more schematic and imitative section, subsequently an other recitative part, marked by the composer with the Italian expression "con discrezione" (discreetly), leads to a fugue in the style of a gigue.
Deljavan and Schiff take quite different approaches to this Toccata. Schiff has a very brilliant and characterful playing while Deljavan is more unconventional. Deljavan's Allegro (00:28) is very noble and joyful, while Schiff (12:43) plays it faster and more flowy. the Adagio (02:46 and 14:29) is intimate and meditative in Deljavan's version while Schiff plays it in a loud and declaimed way. Deljavan unusually plays staccato the Adagio's imitative part (04:42), making it more mysterious and gripping.
00:00 - Deljavan
12:16 - Schiff
