Tal & Groethuysen - J.S. Bach: Transkriptionen (2024) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

From the 19th century onwards, the works of Johann Sebastian Bach enjoyed immense popularity among the greatest pianists of the time. Whether Franz Liszt, Camille Saint-Saëns or Sergei Rachmaninov, they all arranged works by the Baroque master for solo piano. Less well known are the numerous Bach transcriptions for two pianos. The piano duo Yaara Tal & Andreas Groethuysen, who have won countless record awards, astounded audiences back in 2009 with their recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" in Joseph Rheinberger's and Max Reger's version for two pianos. Now the two have recorded a new album for Sony Classical with special Bach transcriptions by well-known arrangers such as Cyril Scott, but also by musicians forgotten today such as Gustav Clemens Felix Krug and Alexander Kelberine. These include versions arranged for two pianos of arias from cantatas, the important Organ Passacaglia in C minor and the Sixth Brandenburg Concerto. "Bach's oeuvre contains a wealth of masterpieces that have mutated into veritable highlights over the centuries," says Yaara Tal. "This album aims to present a selection of these works in particularly successful transcriptions for two pianos that have been unjustly forgotten." The album begins with the aria "Schafe können sicher weiden" from the cantata "Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd" BWV 208, which was arranged by the American Mary Howe (1882-1964). The German Wagnerian Gustav Clemens Felix Krug (1844-1902) wrote the version of the famous Sixth Brandenburg Concerto. And while the Russian-American pianist Victor Babin (1908-1972) arranged one of the best-known chorales for two pianos, "Jesu bleibet meine Freude", the transcription of "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland" BWV 659 is by Alexander Kelberine (1903-1940). Yaara Tal has taken two melodies in particular to her heart. They are the Andante from the Violin Sonata in A minor BWV 1003, arranged by Cyril Scott (1879-1970), and the Adagio from the Organ Toccata in C major BWV 564, arranged by Alexander Kelberine. "I don't know any more beautiful melodies!" says Yaara Tal.

TRACKLIST

1 Schafe können sicher weiden, BWV 208, No. 9 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Mary Howe)
2 I. -
3 II. Adagio, ma non tanto
4 III. Allegro
5 Es ist vollbracht, BWV 159, No. 4 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Roy Douglas)
6 Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964: III. Andante (Arr. for Two Pianos by Cyril Scott)
7 Prelude and Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Christopher le Fleming)
8 Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen, BWV 82, No. 3 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Ludwig Lebell)
9 Toccata in C Major, BWV 564: II. Adagio (Arr. for Two Pianos by Alexander Kelberine)
10 Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Alexander Kelberine)
11 Passacaglia in C Minor, BWV 582 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Gino Tagliapietra)
12 Jesus bleibet meine Freude, BWV 147, No. 10 (Arr. for Two Pianos by Victor Babin)



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