Joshua Bell & Academy of St Martin in the Fields - Bach (2014) [Official Digital Download 24/44]

Joshua Bell is one of the most acclaimed classical musicians of today - renowned for his expressive, elegant, intelligent playing and his deep commitment to bringing the classical tradition to wider audiences. Over the past three decades he has recorded more than 40 albums including most of the great violin repertoire. Now, Sony Classical is excited to announce that Bell has for the first time recorded the masterpieces of J.S. Bach with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. In his third season now as their music director, Bell performs Bach's sublime Violin Concertos No. 1 and No. 2, along with a never-done-before 'violin and orchestra' arrangement of the famous Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 (adapted from Mendelssohn's piano accompaniment), the Gavotte en Rondeau from Partita No. 3 for solo violin (using Schumann's accompaniment), and the universally beloved 'Air on the G string'.

B“ell alternated playing along with the first violins and conducting with great physical animation from his seat, sculpting the air expressively with his bow to bring forth a wealth of interpretive detail from the musicians. This was as superb a program as I‘ve heard, delivered by a conductor of tremendous promise and genuine ideas who also happens to be one heck of a violinist.“ (The Washington Post)

As follow up to last-year s acclaimed and chart-topping all-Beethoven recording, Grammy® Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell continues as Music Director and Conductor of the world-renowned ensemble, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. On their new collaboration, this time with Bell also as a soloist, he conducts ASMF mostly from the concertmaster s chair in an all-Bach program. Joshua Bell is the first American and first person to hold the title of Music Director since Sir Neville Marriner formed the orchestra in 1958.

TRACKLIST

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Violin Concerto No.1 in A Minor, BWV 1041
1 I. Allegro 03:17
2 II. Andante 06:30
3 III. Allegro assai 03:22

Violin Concerto No.2 in E Minor, BWV 1042
4 I. Allegro 06:51
5 II. Adagio 05:51
6 III. Allegro assai 02:28

Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
7 V. Chaconne 13:26

Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068
8 II. Air 04:52

Partita for Violin Solo No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006
9 III. Gavotte en Rondeau 02:49

PERSONNEL
Joshua Bell, violin
Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Recorded April 28 & 29, 2014 at Air Studios, London, Great Britain
Produced and engineered by Adam Abeshouse