No, I'm not disputing anything in your post! I'm calling out one of Bach's best skills as a composer. The use of counterpoint and massive innovation in harmony changed music forever. For some reason, I don't mind the "clockwork" nature of his pieces (even though that's something I usually don't care for...Bach just does it better than anyone else).

This is a great performance. I agree about the tempo: it really opens up the piece.