The viola da gamba version of Bach's sonatas may have been intended for Christian Ferdinand Abel, a prominent violonist and gambist at the court of Köthen where Bach was Kapellmeister.
Composition History
Astor Piazzolla's 'Le Grand Tango' was commissioned in 1982 by the Russian cello virtuoso Mstislav Rostropovich, though he added it to his repertoire years later.
Composer Biography
Johann Sebastian Bach served as godfather to Sophie-Charlotte, the daughter of Christian Ferdinand Abel, a violonist and gambist at the Köthen court.
Composition History
Johann Sebastian Bach's Gamba Sonatas were likely adapted by him for the viola da gamba, as their composition deviates from typical gamba music of his time.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Astor Piazzolla, an Argentinian bandoneon player and composer, founded 'Tango Nuevo' by organically combining classical elements and tango tradition, making tango primarily for listening rather than dancing.
Composition History
The exact date of composition for Bach's Gamba Sonatas remains unknown, as no original manuscript exists, but musicologists tend to date them to the 1730s or 1740s.
Interpretation
The Bach Gamba Sonatas on this album are arrangements for cello and accordion, created by the performers Reinhard Latzko and Kurt Gold.
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