Ken-David Masur, Chelsea Music Festival Strings & Amanda Hardy - Nathan: Dancing with J.S. Bach (2019)

Tracklist

01. Dancing with J.S. Bach I: I. Capriccio (From Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
02. Dancing with J.S. Bach I: II. Gavottes I and II (From English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
03. Dancing with J.S. Bach I: III. Andante (From Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
04. Dancing with J.S. Bach I: IV. Gavottes I and II (From French Overture in B Minor, BWV 831) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
05. Dancing with J.S. Bach I: V. Gavottes I and II (From English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
06. Dancing with J.S. Bach I: VI. Courante II with Two Doubles (From English Suite No. 1 in A, BWV 806) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
07. Dancing with J.S. Bach II: I. [Untitled] (From Italian Concerto in F Major, BWV 971) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
08. Dancing with J.S. Bach II: II. Bourrees I and II (From English Suite No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 807) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
09. Dancing with J.S. Bach II: III. Sarabande (From French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
10. Dancing with J.S. Bach II: IV. Bourrees I and II (From English Suite No. 1 in A Major, BWV 806) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]
11. Dancing with J.S. Bach II: V. Echo (From French Overture in B Minor, BWV 831) [Orch. by Eric Nathan]

Chelsea Music Festival Records has released its inaugural album titled, “Eric Nathan: Dancing with J.S. Bach,” which showcases two newly created dance suites, comprised of various J.S. Bach keyboard works orchestrated by Eric Nathan (b.1983). The Chelsea Music Festival gave the first suite, commissioned by A Far Cry and composed in 2012, its New York Premiere; the second suite was commissioned by the Festival and its world premiere performance took place in June 2018 at the Festival. The commissioning of both suites was generously supported by Dr. Michael B. Sporn in memory of his wife, Kitte Sporn. Featured artists include oboist Amanda Hardy and Festival strings conducted by Ken-David Masur.

The first suite is scored for string soloists with string orchestra, and the second suite is for solo oboe and string orchestra. Nathan says, “I worked to imbue these orchestrations with a similar vibrancy that a pianist might bring to a solo performance of this repertoire.” He adds, “these suites celebrate Bach’s keyboard music from an orchestral vantage point and illuminate connections between movements Bach composed years apart. I have tried to honor Bach’s music while also realizing my own interpretations of his works. You may hear my own compositional voice come through subtly at times. You might think of it as a tip of the hat to Bach, from who I have learned so much as a composer.”

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