Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

New Bach Project

The music of J. S. Bach brought Duo Dorado together in the first place. Bach’s six extraordinary sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord (BWV 1014-1019), and his music for violin and basso continuo have formed a central part of our repertoire for many years.

Hear us playing the finale of Bach’s sonata BWV 1017

 

 

 

We have now embarked on a new project, based on Bach’s other sublime trio repertoire:

Six Trios BWV 525-530. ‘One cannot say enough of their beauty.’ (J.N. Forkel)

Trio BWV 1079, from the Musical Offering BWV 1079

We can present all seven works shared between two recitals, or a selection within one concert.

 

 

 

 

 

Bach by Arrangement

Bach himself constantly reused and rearranged music material of his own and other composers. He made arrangements of concertos by Vivaldi and other Italian composers for the harpsichord. He turned his own cantata movements into sonatas and concertos, and instrumental pieces into cantatas. Every time, he adapted the music to be idiomatic to the new instrumentation, such that you would never know it was not the original form. Following the lead of the great master, we have made our own distinctive arrangements the Six Trios BWV 525-530 (which have come down to us for organ, although several are reworkings of earlier works for other forces) and the trio from the Musical Offering BWV 1079, with its striking ‘Royal theme’. Endlessly varied and utterly spellbinding, these pieces are perfectly suited to the singing tone of Hazel’s violin combined with David’s beautiful Ruckers-Hemsch harpsichord.

Why Now?

2027 is almost exactly 300 years since the organ trios were written down. The manuscript dates between 1727 and 1730. The Musical Offering was first published in 1747, only three years before Bach’s death. 2027 marks the 280th anniversary of its publication. Aside from this, who needs a reason to perform some of the finest baroque repertoire that was ever written, by the single greatest baroque composer?

Contact us to book this programme.