Jean Rondeau - Dynastie: Bach Family Concertos (2017)

×

Jean Rondeau - Dynastie: Bach Family Concertos (2017)

Close

With his 2017 release on Erato, Jean Rondeau illustrates the beginnings of the harpsichord concerto, which can be traced from the Baroque masterpieces of Johann Sebastian Bach through the early Classical period, represented here by works of his sons, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, and Johann Christian Bach. While this celebrated musical dynasty contributed to many forms in the 18th century, the keyboard concerto was given a special, innovative treatment by the Bachs, who effectively put the genre on the map. Of the present selections, the elder Bach's Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052 and the Concerto No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056 are the best-known examples, and to a lesser extent, C.P.E. Bach's Concerto in D minor, Wq 23 is played, though the Concerto in F minor of Johann Christian Bach is attributed to him, and the brief Lamento of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach is Rondeau's transcription of the Sonata in G major, FK 7, not a full concerto. Most recordings of BWV 1052 and BWV 1056 feature a piano in the solo role, but Rondeau plays a modern replica of German instruments of the period. Also, instead of a full-size orchestra to provide accompaniment, Rondeau is joined by six players – violinists Sophie Gent and Louis Creac'h, violist Fanny Paccoud, cellist Antoine Touche, contrabassist Thomas de Pierrefeu, and bassoonist Evolène Kiener – who bring an intimacy and urgency that fit with the modernity and audacity Rondeau cites in his liner notes as being hallmarks of the Bach family.

Review by Blair Sanderson, Allmusic.com

The young French harpsichordist Jean Rondeau made his debut on Erato in 2015 with ‘Imagine’, a recital of Bach keyboard sonata transcriptions (3/15). Now, having given us another solo keyboard disc last year of Royer and Rameau (4/16), ‘Dynastie’ (which is also being released on vinyl) sees him return to Bach for his first recording as a concerto soloist and director, complementing Johann Sebastian Bach’s keyboard concertos BWV1052 and 1056 with concertos by his sons Johann Christian, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel.

Rondeau has come in for some stick from certain corners of the critical world, facing accusations of bolshy rock’n’roll showmanship, and even of sounding jangly. Also, albeit more kindly put, of sometimes losing momentum through his free, unhurried approach. Listening to ‘Dynastie’, however, bolshy jangling showmanship is far from the impression I’m left with; and while Rondeau does indeed take a very relaxed approach to pulse and metre at points, the effect comes over more as charming and human, along with carrying a sense of absolute connection and improvisatory ease with his harpsichord akin to that of a jazz pianist (and incidentally jazz piano formed part of his training). Furthermore, moments of metronomic freedom are matched by equal amounts of firm exactitude where the music demands.

BWV1052 in D minor very much sets the tone of the whole: up-tempo but never feeling hurried, a gentle, fluidly flowing touch at the harpsichord, a central movement dramatised by hesitations and pauses, along with a legato approach that unfurls the harpsichord’s phrases as if as in one continuous, subtly ornate breath. Then, a strong-toned, crisply rhythmic third movement.

A highlight is Rondeau’s own orchestration of the ‘Lamento’ from WF Bach’s Sonata in G major. Sublimely written and glowingly performed, this track is a welcome opportunity for his accompanying string ensemble to move deservedly centre stage, Rondeau complementing them with prominent harpsichord background colour.

As for the rest, JS Bach’s BWV1056 in F minor has thoughtfulness, fun and flourish, followed by a reading of CPE Bach’s Wq23 Concerto in D minor which captures this stylistic wild child’s maverick choppiness with clipped, buoyant elegance. So, all in all, a recording to savour.

Review by Charlotte Gardner, Gramophone

×

Jean Rondeau - Dynastie: Bach Family Concertos (2017)

Close

×

Jean Rondeau - Dynastie: Bach Family Concertos (2017)

Close