| Individual Works: | Trio Sonata No. 3 in d, (oboe, violin and continuo) BWV 527
Trio Sonata No. 6 in G, (two violins and continuo) BWV 530
Trio Sonata No. 4 in e, (oboe d'amore, viola and continuo) BWV 528
Trio Sonata No. 2 in e, (violin, viola and continuo) BWV 526
Trio Sonata No. 5 in C, (oboe, viola and continuo) BWV 529
Trio Sonata No. 1 in E-flat, (two violins and continuo) BWV 525 |
| Comments: | Willem Van Galen said:
It is too bad that the cover illustration of the CD booklet shows a rather cool and cloudy sky (over late 17th century Haarlem), because the rendition of the six trio sonatas by two violins, viola, cello, oboe, oboe d'amore, theorbo, chamber organ, and harpsichord in arrangements made by Robert King is positively warm and often sunny. The music is made even more approachable by the wonderfully clear and succinct notes by Robert King in which he explains the choice of instruments, often for individual movements.
These sonatas were originally conceived for organ, but as such already contain arrangements of earlier instrumental works. The difference between hearing them played on an organ versus what makes this recording such an attractive alternative is summed up by Robert King: "Performance on an organ gives a wonderful purity to the counterpoint, but the use of 'expressive' instruments on all lines gives each line the opportunity to wax and wane: the addition of chordal continuo instruments provides a quite different harmonic foundation." Lively playing, great recorded sound, and just over 70 minutes of playing time make this CD a winner in my books. (DDD)
J. Gregory Hendron said:
After listening to several "arranged" versions of the six trio sonatas for organ, this by far is the superior, casting a sensuous shadow with expressive color. Not only is it one of my favorite recordings, the opening selection, BWV 527, is too delicious not to miss. The soloists, not known widely for being "soloists" accomplish much here; you will be convinced all the performers involved took time to to savor each phrase.
Andrew Block said:
Wow. This recording is truly stunning -- it's spent a lot of hours in my CD player. These Trio Sonatas are source material. Any one of them contains a core from which a concerto or larger-scale piece might be derived from (as is the case of the second movement used in both BWV 527/BWV 1044), yet they are SO effective and convincing in a small chamber setting they really don't need it. I've heard some excellent alternatives (instrumental) including those by Palladian Ensemble and Musica Pacifica, but King takes them to another level. Bravo to Robert King and his Consort of fabulous players, this one's a keeper.
Marc Levit said:
This transcription of Bach's six solo organ sonatas for various combinations of instruments is wonderful, a revelation. It is like hearing this music for the first time. The King Consort's playing is warm, wonderfully fresh and alive. I could not stop playing it over and over. |
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