Angela Hewitt - Bach: Italian Concerto, French Overture, 4 Duets, Capriccios (2001)

Tracklist

01. Italian Concerto, BWV 971: I. [Allegro]
02. Italian Concerto, BWV 971: II. Andante
03. Italian Concerto, BWV 971: III. Presto
04. Capriccio in B-Flat Major, BWV 992 "On the Departure of His Beloved Brother": I. Arioso. Adagio
05. Capriccio in B-Flat Major, BWV 992 "On the Departure of His Beloved Brother": II. [Andante]
06. Capriccio in B-Flat Major, BWV 992 "On the Departure of His Beloved Brother": III. Adagissimo
07. Capriccio in B-Flat Major, BWV 992 "On the Departure of His Beloved Brother": IV. [Andante con moto]
08. Capriccio in B-Flat Major, BWV 992 "On the Departure of His Beloved Brother": V. Aria di postiglione
09. Capriccio in B-Flat Major, BWV 992 "On the Departure of His Beloved Brother": VI. Fuga all' imitazione di posta
10. Capriccio in E Major "In honorem Johann Christoph Bach", BWV 993
11. Duet No. 1 in E Minor, BWV 802
12. Duet No. 2 in F Major, BWV 803
13. Duet No. 3 in G Major, BWV 804
14. Duet No. 4 in A Minor, BWV 805
15. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: I. Ouverture
16. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: II. Courante
17. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: III. Gavotte I
18. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: IVa. Gavotte II
19. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: IVb. Gavotte I da capo
20. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: V. Passepied I
21. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: VIa. Passepied II
22. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: VIb. Passepied I da capo
23. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: VII. Sarabande
24. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: VIII. Bourrée I
25. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: IXa. Bourrée II
26. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: IXb. Bourrée I da capo
27. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: X. Gigue
28. French Overture (Partita), BWV 831: XI. Echo

Angela Hewitt's recordings of J S Bach's keyboard works are rapidly being seen as the definitive modern survey on the piano. Such is her natural affinity for Bach's style, her aliveness to his dancing rhythms and her sensitive use of the modern instrument, that she is the natural successor to a prestigious line of great Bach pianists.

This disc includes works from the second and third volumes of Bach's Clavierübung (Keyboard Practice). In the Italian Concerto and French Overture Bach demonstrates not only his skill as translating to the keyboard two of the most popular orchestral genres of the time, but also his natural assimilation of their respective national characteristics, while remaining true to his own style. These are among his happiest inspirations. The Italian Concerto brims with joyous thematic invention and allusions to solo and orchestral contrasts, while the French Overture (often called a Partita) is a lively dance suite. The Four Duets, rather like more mature Two-part Inventions, and the youthful Capriccios complete a sunny and inspirational disc.

All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set Angela Hewitt plays Bach: 'A magnificent retrospective of Angela Hewitt’s achievement as a pianist in the keyboard works of J S Bach … this remarkable set of recordings marks something of a milestone for everyone involved with classical music, as well as for Hyperion' (MusicWeb International).

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