J.S. Bach & Reinhard Febel: 18 Studies on 'The Art of Fugue'

Featuring

Yaara Tal
Andreas Groethuysen
Piano-Duo Tal & Groethuysen
Reinhard Febel

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Performer Biography

Yaara Tal and Andreas Groethuysen, the piano duo on this recording, previously performed Febel's arrangements of Bach's chorales for four hands.

Composer Biography

Reinhard Febel was a pianist before becoming a composer, and his interest in two-piano literature is evident from his dissertation on 'Music for Two Pianos since 1950'.

Composition History

Reinhard Febel's 18 Studies for Two Pianos based on J.S. Bach's 'The Art of Fugue' were commissioned by Bachwoche Ansbach for the piano duo Tal & Groethuysen.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Reinhard Febel aimed to create a new version of Bach's 'The Art of Fugue' that would be a conceptual advance and a personal commentary, not just a transcription.

Compositional Technique

Febel's Studies incorporate all of Bach's original notes, but add new layers, which he likens to 'overpainting' in art, similar to works by Anselm Kiefer or Gerhard Richter.

Notable Performances

The world premiere of part of Febel's Studies took place on August 6, 2015, at the Orangerie in Ansbach Hofgarten, with the remaining studies premiered on July 29, 2019.

Compositional Technique

Febel's Studies challenge the performers with complex rhythmic textures, such as superimposed meters and irregular accents, reflecting his experience with non-European music styles.