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.
1 Concerto for 4 Pianos in a Minor, BWV 1065: I. Allegro
2 Concerto for 4 Pianos in a Minor, BWV 1065: II. Largo
3 Concerto for 4 Pianos in a Minor, BWV 1065: III. Allegro
4 Concerto for 3 Pianos in D minor, BWV 1063: I. [No Tempo Indication]
5 Concerto for 3 Pianos in D minor, BWV 1063: II. Alla Siciliana
6 Concerto for 3 Pianos in D minor, BWV 1063: III. Allegro
7 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C minor, BWV 1062: I. Vivace
8 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C minor, BWV 1062: II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
9 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C minor, BWV 1062: III. Allegro Assai
10 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C Major, BWV 1061: I. Allegro
11 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C Major, BWV 1061: II. Adagio Ovvero Largo
12 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C Major, BWV 1061: III. Fuga
13 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C minor, BWV 1060: I. Allegro
14 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C minor, BWV 1060: II. Adagio
15 Concerto for 2 Pianos in C minor, BWV 1060: III. Allegro
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.
