Bwv 992

Mahan Esfahani again highlights the radicalism, virtuosity—and sheer joyousness—of the works recorded here, both in his playing and in his uncommonly engaging booklet notes.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, the Dutch harpsichordist and conductor Pieter-Jan Belder has become renowned as a Bach interpreter with his surveys in concert and on record of the keyboard and orchestral masterpieces such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, the Brandenburg Concertos and no fewer than three recordings of the Goldberg Variations.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, the Dutch harpsichordist and conductor Pieter-Jan Belder has become renowned as a Bach interpreter with his surveys in concert and on record of the keyboard and orchestral masterpieces such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, the Brandenburg Concertos and no fewer than three recordings of the Goldberg Variations.

Debut of pianist Massimo Giuseppe Bianchi on Decca label, refined soloist and has a significant international career and collaborations (Canino, Ballista, Pieranunzi, Aron-Quartett, Orchestra da Camera di Mantova, etc.). Around Bach and is a tribute to the timeless beauty and inspirational power of Johann Sebastian Bach's music. An unusual journey through some of the works that the composer has inspired to the 800 authors and '900. The Toccata and Fugue in D minor transcribed for piano by Busoni at King Variations Op. 81 of Reger and those on the Chorale "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" Liszt until the Prelude, Chorale and Fugue Franck.

A musical all-rounder makes his debut: the 22-year-old Aurel Dawidiuk, born in Hanover, is a pianist, organist, conductor, composer and has already been awarded several times in the various fields of his work.

Intended to instruct us and elevate our souls , the keyboard oeuvre of Bach allows us to travel to concertante Italy and invites us to dance or improvisation. From the moving 'Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother' to the 'Italian Concerto' by way of 'Partita no.1', the pianist Claire-Marie Le Guay offers a portrait of Bach that reveals the multiple facets of his genius: the virtuoso improviser, the pedagogue, the builder of cathedrals in sound.

Although it was not common to study Johann Sebastian Bach’s music in Italy in the nineteenth century, Ferdinando Busoni (1834-1909), a clarinet player, used it as the foundation for his son’s music education. Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924) expressed gratitude for his father’s unconventional instruction in the epilogue to his edition of Bach’s keyboard works.

Like a peregrine following lesser-known paths to reach distant countries, I built the program of this record as a journey through the immensely rich and varied musical landscape of Johann Sebastian Bach. By using works from all periods of his life and exploring many contrasting styles, while going off the beaten track with regard to commonly engraved works, this peregrination also offers some pieces rarely recorded on modern pianos.

Like a peregrine following lesser-known paths to reach distant countries, I built the program of this record as a journey through the immensely rich and varied musical landscape of Johann Sebastian Bach. By using works from all periods of his life and exploring many contrasting styles, while going off the beaten track with regard to commonly engraved works, this peregrination also offers some pieces rarely recorded on modern pianos.

Who is akin to whom? Are they spiritual or elective kinships? In the first instance, all the pieces recorded here are akin to each other in that they are especially suitable for that most sensitive of all keyboard instruments, the clavichord. Beauty is another common feature, which they each display in their own way. And in the circle of fifths these pieces are very close to one another.