This album was recorded in October 2021 at Église Saint-Augustin in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada.
Composition History
Bach's concertos were primarily composed during two periods: between 1717 and 1723 in Köthen, and during the 1730s in Leipzig.
Historical Context
Bach wrote his instrumental works for two distinct institutions: a princely court and a public concert society, reflecting a social shift in the 18th century where pleasures previously reserved for aristocrats became accessible to rising classes.
Composer Biography
During his six years in Köthen, Bach, a Lutheran, focused entirely on instrumental music because the Calvinist principality did not use elaborate music in their religious ceremonies.
Composition History
Many of Bach's harpsichord concertos are adaptations of his earlier concertos for other instruments, performed publicly in Leipzig at Gottfried Zimmermann's café.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach assimilated the Italian 'ritornello' concerto form, developed by composers like Vivaldi, integrating it with counterpoint to create richer and more varied textures without highlighting sheer virtuosity.
Interpretation
The ensemble L'Harmonie des saisons performs on period instruments and has produced over forty different programs in more than 150 concerts since its founding in 2010.
