Olivier Fortin, Emmanuel Frankenberg, Ensemble Masques - Bach: Concertos for Two Harpsichords (2020) [24/96]

The practice of composing for two keyboard instruments, very common in the illustrious Bach family, naturally achieved its apotheosis with Johann Sebastian, whose three concertos for two harpsichords are performed here by Olivier Fortin and Emmanuel Frankenberg with the Ensemble Masques. These works, particularly the concertos in C minor, are among the composer’s most admired. They suggest a conception of the concerto specific to Bach: rather than a dialogue between several individual entities, the piece presents a subtle intertwining of melodic lines and blurs the distinction between solo and tutti parts by making them respond to and quote each other, thus illustrating the principle of harmony dear to the composer. Finally, the recording on two harpsichords of the Prelude and Fugue BWV 552, originally composed for organ, is in keeping with the nineteenth-century tradition of transposing Bach’s works with the aim of giving their refined polyphony greater clarity.

Tracklist:
01. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Minor, BWV 1060: I. Allegro (5:01)
02. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Minor, BWV 1060: II. Largo ovvero adagio (4:44)
03. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Minor, BWV 1060: III. Allegro (3:38)
04. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Major, BWV 1061: I: […] (7:21)
05. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Major, BWV 1061: II. Adagio ovvero largo (4:21)
06. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Major, BWV 1061: III. Fuga. Vivace (6:02)
07. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Minor, BWV 1062: I. […] (3:46)
08. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Minor, BWV 1062: II. Andante e piano (5:45)
09. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords in C Minor, BWV 1062: III. Allegro assai (4:56)
10. Prelude and Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552: I. Prelude (8:39)
11. Prelude and Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552: II. Fugue (5:33)