Bach: Harpsichord Works

Featuring

Peter Watchorn
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Instruments

This recording uses a pedal harpsichord, an instrument commonly used in 18th-century Germany by organists for practice, which adds a distinct third dimension to the tonal result.

Compositional Technique

Bach's Toccatas represent the culmination of a genre that had existed for several centuries, combining learned counterpoint with theatrical display, known as the stylus phantasticus.

Instruments

The pedal harpsichord used in this recording was built in 1990 by Hubbard & Broekman, following 18th-century descriptions, and is designed to fit under the main harpsichord.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Bach's boundless enthusiasm for investigating and assimilating major national musical styles and genres resulted in a synthesis of different national styles within his own music.

Performer Biography

Peter Watchorn co-founded the award-winning recording label Musica Omnia in 2000, for which he serves as producer and board president.

Performer Biography

Peter Watchorn, the performer on this album, has an international reputation for his high standard of harpsichord performance and is also noted as a harpsichord builder and researcher.

Interpretation

The performer, Peter Watchorn, has chosen to fully improvise the 'arpeggio' sections of the Chromatic Fantasia, following the advice of harpsichordist Isolde Ahlgrimm.