Bach, Handel & D. Scarlatti: (Viola da) Gamba Sonatas

Featuring

Steven Isserlis
Richard Egarr
Robin Michael
Johann Sebastian Bach
Domenico Scarlatti
George Frideric Handel

Did you know?

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Historical Context

The year 1685 was unique for the birth of three genius composers: Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti, whose music would change the world.

Composition History

Handel's G minor Violin Sonata, HWV364b, originally published as an oboe sonata, is also Handel's only gamba sonata due to an alternative version in his own hand.

Compositional Technique

Bach's gamba sonatas are trio sonatas, written for three equal voices: the gamba, and the treble and bass of the keyboard.

Composer Biography

Unlike Bach, who never left Germany, Scarlatti was an international traveler, spending much of his life in Portugal and Spain, which influenced his art.

Composer Biography

Handel and Scarlatti were friends who met in Italy; a story recounts Scarlatti's astonishment at Handel's harpsichord playing, exclaiming, 'Either that is the famous Saxon, or the Devil.'

Recording & Production

The album concludes with Bach's Chorale Prelude, Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, which was added after cellist Steven Isserlis was convinced it would work on harpsichord by Richard Egarr during the recording session.