Benjamin Alard - Bach: The Work for Organ & Harpsichord, Chapter II - 1. Sopra un tema di Albinoni (2017) [Hi-Res]

Following several acclaimed recordings for Alpha, Benjamin Alard will now devote himself to the complete works for organ and harpsichord of Johann Sebastian Bach.

A massive undertaking, involving around 30 hours of music, which will be structured into chapters that mark the significant moments in the life of the Cantor of Leipzig: “This is indeed the first time Johann Sebastian Bach’s complete works for solo harpsichord will be performed by the same musician. Contrary to the encyclopaedic complete works so far published (harpsichord, organ, cantatas, concertos, etc. ), my approach is to present Bach’s harpsichord music in parallel with the chronology of his life, his influences, his travels, his professional choices, grouped symbolically into 14 chapters, to represent the number of letters in his name.” (Benjamin Alard)

Recorded last May on the Andreas Silbermann organ of 1718 (recently restored by the Blumenroeder Company) at Sainte-Aurélie’s Church in Strasbourg, and on a harpsichord made by Émile Jobin, inspired by models he has restored (Ruckers 1612, preserved in the Musée de Picardie; Dulcken 1747, preserved in the Vleeshuis, Antwerp), the first volume of this complete works will bring together pieces composed between 1695 and 1705, under the title “The Young Heir”, and will be released on 30 March 2018, the anniversary of Bach’s birth.