Bach, J S: Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV1052 (harpsichord or piano)

This collection of Bach concertos is the French pianist David Fray’s second recording for Virgin Classics. His first, with its thought-provoking juxtaposition of Bach and Boulez, was released in May 2007 and in April 2008 brought him the Best Newcomer Award from BBC Music Magazine. The recital also prompted Gramophone to speak of his: “unselfregarding mastery and musical maturity,” and the “intimate, poetic spell” cast by his Bach with its “gorgeous tone and ravishingly shaded trills.” The New York Times found it a “superbly played and thoughtful program … In both Bach and Boulez, Mr. Fray displays an articulate touch, splendid command of shadings and nimble finger work. The youthful freshness of the performances is especially appealing. Mr. Fray is not intimidated by either giant … He brings a fluid sense of rhythm and much sparkle to Bach's D major Partita … [the] account of Bach's D minor French Suite is also captivating,” while the “playful, crystalline and wondrously delicate account” of Boulez’s 12 Notations” was summarised as “breathtaking”.

2008 has been an important year for Fray, bringing his New York debut, his marriage (in July) and a documentary about him by distinguished filmmaker Bruno Monsaingeon. Now comes this collection of four of Bach’s six concertos for keyboard, with Fray directing the Bremen-based Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie from the piano.

The Austro-German repertoire in general is of great importance to the pianist, whose personal heritage includes Czech, Polish, Spanish, French, Finnish and Jewish strands. He has said that: 'If, over my life, I can play all the works of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms and Schumann, then I shall be very happy!” but describes Bach as “a pinnacle; both a beginning and an end”.

‘Fray’s debut is marked by an imaginative collation, Bach and Boulez, played with vibrant imagination. He pushes the boundaries but resists the merely quirky. Impeccable technique allows him to speak from the heart with deceptive ease.’ BBC Music Magazine

Once again, charismatic Hélène Grimaud presents an album with an individual concept. Bach vs. Bach Transcribed brings together original keyboard works by the master with works by Bach arranged (transcribed) for the piano by pianist-composers of later generations: Busoni, Liszt, Rachmaninov. This is the first time that Hélène Grimaud has recorded Bach – a challenge for any musician. The repertoire includes the famous Well-Tempered Clavier II and the Concerto no. 1 in D minor, the latter performed with Grimaud’s regular collaborators, the Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Bach “Transcribed” features the Bach/Busoni version of the Chaconne in D minor, the Violin Partita in E major arranged for piano by Rachmaninov, and Liszt’s version of the Prelude and Fugue in A minor

A landmark project in Grimaud’s successful career

Francesco Cera was born in Bologna, Italy, and studied organ and harpsichord under Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini and later with Gustav Leonhardt. He is now one of Italy’s leading early music specialists, and is greatly admired as a performer for his extensive knowledge of styles and different musical expressions. He was member of the ensemble Il Giardino Armonico and since 1997 has been director of the Ensemble Arte Musica, with whom he performs Italian vocal music covering the period from Gesualdo’s madrigals to 18th century cantatas. Francesco Cera is particularly well-known for his performances of 17th century harpsichord and organ music. His recordings of the complete works of Michelangelo Rossi, Tarquinio Merula, Bernardo Storace and Antonio Valente were highly acclaimed by the most important music magazines. His audacious interpretations of the Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas bring out their innovative rhetorical and dramatic character, as well as their brilliance. Cera has recorded three CDs of these Sonatas from the manuscript dated 1742, and took part in the performance of the complete Scarlatti Sonatas at the Flanders Festival in Gent.

The ensemble I Barocchisti takes on the artistic legacy of the Società cameristica di Lugano (Switzerland), committing itself since the 50s to the performance of forgotten baroque works. The Swiss violinist and mandolin player Duilio Galfetti is their leader. I Barocchisti perform in variable numbers ranging from 5 to 40 members from Switzerland and Italy, all with comprehensive concert experience as soloists and in chamber music. Diego Fasolis studied at the Conservatory of Zurich receiving his diplomas for organ, piano, voice and composition with honours. He continued his studies with such renowned soloists as Gaston Litaize and Michael Radulescu, and he has earned prizes at the competitions of Stresa, Zurich and Geneva. Since 1993 he has been the conductor of the Coro della Radio Svizzera Lugano and since 1988 of I Barocchisti.

J.S. Bach wrote seven concertos for solo harpsichord, strings and continuo (BWV 1052-1058). All are thought to be arrangements made from earlier concertos for other instruments probably written in Cöthen. In many cases, only the harpsichord version has survived.