Bach: Die Sonaten für Viola da gamba

Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
Die Sonaten für Viola da gamba und Cembalo
Jordi Savall, Ton Koopman
Alia Vox AV 9812 [CD]

Contents

    Sonaten für Viola da gamba und Cembalo

    Sonata IV (C dur) BWV529 (transcr. from sonata V for organ)

  1. Allegro
  2. Largo
  3. Allegro

    4. Sonata I (G dur) BWV1027

  4. Adagio
  5. Allegro ma non tanto
  6. Andante
  7. Allegro moderato

    8. Sonata II (D dur) BWV1028

  8. Adagio
  9. Allegro
  10. Andante
  11. Allegro

    12. Sonata III (g moll) BWV1029

  12. Vivace
  13. Adagio
  14. Allegro

Playing time: 58' 40"

Performers:
Jordi Savall (viola da gamba (6 & 7 strings), altus viola da gamba), Ton Koopman (harpsichord)

Recording site and date:
Colegiata del Castillo de Cardona (Cataluña), Spain [01/2000];
Rel.: 05/2000 (AV).

Excerpts:
[8]-[9] Alia Vox AV 9810 [CD] Harmonie universelle

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.):
Early Music America (Vol./#-p.):
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.):
Goldberg (#-p.): 12-65 (fall 2000)
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.):

Comments:
Information from CD.

Pierre-F. Roberge

Of course, Bach's Viola da gamba Sonatas are something of a study in contradiction. He paired the already old-fashioned Viola da gamba with the new innovation of the trio sonata with two lines taken by the keyboard and without continuo as such, or the new "duo" sonata. On top of this, he wrote the No. 3 in the style of a concerto.

Savall's previous recording:

J.S. Bach: The Sonatas for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord
BWV 1027-29
Jordi Savall / Ton Koopman
Virgin Veritas Edition 61291

Other significant recordings:

J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord
Anner Bylsma / Bob van Asperen
Sony Vivarte 45945
J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord
Wieland Kuijken / Gustav Leonhardt
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77044
J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord
Laurence Dreyfus / Ketil Haugsand
Simax 1024
J.S. Bach: Gamba Sonatas
Jaap ter Linden / Richard Egarr
Harmonia Mundi USA 907268

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Todd M. McComb