Composer: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Daniel Müller-Schott, Angela Hewitt
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Orfeo
Catalogue: C693071A
Release: 2007
Size: 236 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Bach JS: Viola da Gamba Sonata No. 1 in G major, BWV1027
01. I. Adagio
02. II. Allegro ma non tanto
03. III. Andante
04. IV. Allegro moderato
Bach JS: Viola da Gamba Sonata No. 2 in D major, BWV1028
05. I. Adagio
06. II. Allegro
07. III. Andante
08. IV. Allegro
Bach JS: Viola da Gamba Sonata No. 3 in G minor, BWV1029
09. I. Vivace
10. II. Adagio
11. III. Allegro
Bach CPE: Viola da gamba Sonata in D Major, Wq. 137 (Arr. for Cello & Piano)
12. I. Adagio ma non tanto
13. II. Allegro di molto
14. III. Arioso
From the moment the cello starts its suave tread over the piano’s gently rising bass and sustained right-hand trill at the beginning of the G major Sonata, you know this is going to be a disc to sit back and enjoy. Daniel Müller-Schott and Angela Hewitt may have substituted modern instruments for the viola da gamba and harpsichord Bach had in mind but nothing in this superb music’s original character has been lost – this is as clear-textured and as vividly articulated a performance as you could hope to hear.
Indeed, it has gained much by the sheer musical feeling and intelligence that these two players have put into it, aided by extra warmth from Müller-Schott’s cello (achieved without resorting to excessive vibrato) and from the delicate dynamic subtleties of Hewitt’s piano-playing.
There are some memorable moments here.
Architecturally, too, they consistently get things just right. With a perfect balance between instruments, this is playing which gives nothing but a glow of pleasure, that not even what sounds like some weary tuning at the piano’s top end can dispel.
All Bach gamba sonata discs need a filler, and the choice here is a sonata by CPE Bach, rather more romantically drawn by Müller-Schott and with a continuo accompaniment less well suited to the piano. But then this disc is worth your money for the JS alone.