Michelle Ross - Discovering Bach: Complete Violin Sonatas & Partitas (2017)

Tracklist

01. Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001: I. Adagio
02. Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001: II. Fuga. Allegro
03. Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001: III. Siciliana
04. Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001: IV. Presto
05. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: I. Allemanda
06. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: II. Double
07. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: III. Corrente
08. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: IV. Double. Presto
09. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: V. Sarabande
10. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: VI. Double
11. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: VII. Tempo di Borea
12. Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002: VIII. Double
13. Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: I. Grave
14. Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: II. Fuga
15. Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante
16. Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: IV. Allegro
17. Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV1004: I. Allemanda
18. Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV1004: II. Corrente
19. Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV1004: III. Sarabanda
20. Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV1004: IV. Giga
21. Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV1004: V. Ciaccona
22. Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV1005: I. Adagio
23. Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV1005: II. Fuga
24. Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV1005: III. Largo
25. Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV1005: IV. Allegro assai
26. Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: I. Preludio
27. Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: II. Loure
28. Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: III. Gavotte en Rondeau
29. Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: IV. Menuet I, Menuet II
30. Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: V. Bourée
31. Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: VI. Gigue


This recording of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin (the title Discovering Bach is not terribly useful) was preceded by a performance history lasting several years after American violinist Michelle Ross received a fellowship enabling her to work toward the recording. Ross performed the works in non-traditional venues including bakeries, boardwalks, and ferries. She is not unique in employing such venues, but her idea is novel: she has avoided bars and public transit stations where there is noise. She also blogged about this concert tour. Ross' reading of these well-explored works reflects that background to a degree: she is a strong player who is unafraid to grab the audience's attention. Her playing also draws on that of her teacher Itzhak Perlman; it's in a big, Romantic vein that's refreshing in Bach because it's not heard so often lately. The "Gavotte" from the Partita in E major, BWV 1006, is typical: lively, free in tempo, and seemingly spontaneous. Sample the mighty "Chaconne" (Ciaccona) in the Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, to see whether Ross' style may be a bit heated for you, but it's unlikely that you'll find it boring. The album was recorded not in a bakery, but at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York, a fine chamber venue, and Albany's production team captures the immediacy of Ross' playing. Recommended for those who like Bach violin playing in the classic style.

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