Bach: Preludes And Other Harpsichord Works

"This recording is the result of "love at first sight" – mine for this wonderful Dulcken harpsichord! I have been fortunate in having had opportunity to play the instrument on several occasions, each time with the same emotion. Following my fancy, I played pieces that particularly appeal to me emotionally, most of them written by that great man of genius, Johann Sebastian Bach, since the qualities of this extraordinary instrument are so perfectly attuned to his music, combining brilliance and refinement, power and interiority. I have tried to create a programme that is both diverse and coherent, including various writing processes and genres of which Bach particularly found, such as traditional counterpoint, the fantasia and dances. The dances I have chosen have been isolated from their suites so that we may hear them differently and see them in a new light, in a different context, thus also highlighting their specificities. In the same spirit, I have also removed other pieces from their usual contexts. In the end the programme offers a contrast in forms, effects and atmospheres, like a concert; but there is unity in the perfect entente between the music and this exceptional instrument by Dulcken." Violaine Cochard

Bach, J S: English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807: Prélude Adagio in D minor (Marcello/Bach), BWV974 Toccata in D minor, BWV913 Prelude & Fughetta in G major, BWV902 Three-part Invention (Sinfonia) No. 11 in G minor, BWV797 Fantasia in A minor, BWV922 Partita No. 1 in B flat major, BWV825: Gigue Prelude in C minor, BWV999 Fantasia in C minor, BWV906 Three-part Invention (Sinfonia) No. 5 in E major, BWV791 Capriccio from Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826 Prelude & Fugue Book 2 No. 12 in F minor, BWV881 Suite in F minor, BWV823: Sarabande

Price: $22.98