Various Artists - Baroque - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

This fascinating set provides a refreshing window onto a much studied, much idolized, and oft performed master of composition, allowing many of his familiar works to appear in a new light, recognizable and yet transformed. Bach's music is often described as indestructible, in the sense that no matter how it is performed, or in whichever arrangement, it's essential spirit survives. Many of the transcriptions included here represent the work of contemporary, world-class performers bringing Bach's masterpieces into the repertoire of their own instruments or ensembles, thereby giving new timbres to the genius of Bach's contrapuntal lines. The much-loved Goldberg Variations, for example, are given not one, but two new arrangements, as the interwoven voices for keyboard are divided between the members of a string trio and a recorder quintet. Others are scholarly reconstructions of concertos for what might well have been Bach's originally intended instruments - versions that were subsequently lost to future generations. From 1729 Bach directed the Leipzig Collegium Musicum, an association consisting of students and musical citizens, and for his performances with them Bach needed to provide secular works. But his time was largely absorbed with writing sacred music for St Thomas's Church in his role as Kantor. So Bach devised harpsichord concertos by adapting concertos he had originally written for other instruments. Musicologists believe that the seven works known today as Bach's concertos for solo harpsichord were initially composed as violin or oboe concertos. A third category included here might be called Bach transcriptions by 20th-century InchgiantsInch. The great Dutch harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt arranged for the harpsichord various major works by Bach - five from solo violin works, three from solo cello suites and two movements from a partita for solo flute and a s

The celebration of the Nativity has always been a source of inspiration for composers. The different elements of the evangelical narrative evoke numerous images tender feelings before the Baby Jesus; the gentleness of his mother, the Virgin Mary; the procession of the three Wise Men; the angelic choirs in Heaven; and these shepherds gathered in the manger. All that appears in the musical repertoire linked to this holiday, as well as the presence of colorful instrumentations and themes connected to folk traditions. This sublime 37-track set brings together all these elements, drawn from the repertoires of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Album Tracks 1. Christmas Music Featuring Works By Scheidt, Buxtehude, Weckman, Donati, Caccini, Grandi, and More

Spark plays Baroque music. That sounds simple, but is in fact highly complex. That's because when an ensemble like Spark approaches a past era, that can only come about with a fresh new perspective, bold reorientation and lots of delight in experimentation. It is not for nothing that the ECHO Klassik prizewinning formation enjoys a reputation for blending the old and the new, tradition and innovation, the familiar and the unheard-of in a unique manner. Consequently, on their upcoming InchBE BAROQUEInch the five exceptional musicians are not interested in simply arranging Baroque works for their formation. On the contrary in their new arrangements they aim to highlight new aspects, intensify moods and awaken unforeseen associations. Baroque manners are assimilated, spun and transformed into the musical language of the 21st century. Based on a number of masterworks by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel and others, Spark creates it's very own Baroque tableau whose color spectrum ranges from almost true-to-the-original reproduction through to a completely new composition. Album Tracks 1. Neo Largo 2. The Arrival 3. Cantabile 4. The Eternal Second 5. Mrs. Keel 6. Where the Heart Feels Safe 7. Rondeau 8. Badinerie 9. Bourree I & II 10. Sheep May Safely Graze 11. Les Barricades Mysterieuses 12. The Last Step