David Fray - Bach: Goldberg Variations - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

David Fray stands out as one of today's most distinctive French pianists, widely acclaimed for his profound interpretations of Bach. Each of his recordings is considered a major event, making this new all the more anticipated, as it marks his return after several years of silence. This new album features masterpieces from Rameau to Scarlatti, including lesser-known composers like Royer, with a strong focus on Bach. The repertoire includes original keyboard works as well as piano transcriptions by legendary pianists such as Siloti, Kempff, Busoni, and Stradal. Additionally, the album also includes the world premiere recording of Monsaingeon's arrangement for piano of Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 Andante.

The music on this album gives rise to two intriguing questions. Firstly, are these concertos original Bachian creations? Secondly, should they be played on modern pianos. The two issues are in fact closely linked by the idea of transcription. Four of the keyboard concertos recorded here derive either from works originally composed by Bach for other instruments (this is true of the Concerto in Cminor, BWV1062 for two harpsichords - a transcription of the celebrated and exceptional Concerto in D minor for two violins, BWV1043), or from works by Bach of which we are more or less aware, but whose initial versions have not survived. This applies to the Concerto in C major, BWV1061 and the Concerto in C minor, BWV1060. As for the Concerto in A minor, BWV1065 for four harpsichords, it is a reworking of the tenth concerto from Vivaldi's L'Estro armonico, op.3, for four violins.

Dark Shadows Return to Collinwood - Dark Shadows Return to Collinwood (Original Soundtrack) [COMPACT DISCS] date 11/27/2006