Bach: Italian Concerto, French Overture, 4 Duets, Capriccios

Featuring

Angela Hewitt
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Compositional Technique

Bach's Italian Concerto was praised by Scheibe as a 'perfect model of a well-designed solo concerto' due to its more melodic style, which aligned with the 'Art Galant' movement.

Historical Context

During Bach's time, there was a significant musical rivalry between French and Italian styles, with German music often neglected.

Performer Biography

Angela Hewitt, the performer on this album, is hailed as 'the preeminent Bach pianist of our time' and has received numerous awards, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Composition History

The Capriccio in B flat major 'on the Departure of his Beloved Brother' is Bach's only piece of program music, telling a specific story through its six movements.

Composer Biography

As a young orphan, Bach secretly copied music by composers like Froberger and Pachelbel by moonlight, as his older brother, Johann Christoph, denied him access to the scores.

Composition History

Bach's Clavierübung (Keyboard Practice) Vol. 2, published in 1735, included both an Italian Concerto and a French Overture, showcasing his mastery of popular orchestral genres on the keyboard.

Critical Reception

Bach faced criticism from Johann Adolf Scheibe, a German theorist, who found his compositions 'turgid and sophisticated' rather than 'simple and natural'.