Credits:

Bach (1685-1750)

Description:

Bach used the viol (viola da gamba), an old bowed string instrument that had already begun to fall into disuse in the early 18th century, in a variety of masterpieces, including "The Matthew Passion," the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, and three sonatas with harpsichord. The heyday of this type of instrument was in the 16th and 17th centuries, when consort instruments of all sizes, from small discant (high register) instruments to bass and sometimes violone (lowest register) instruments, found their way into a variety of settings, from accompaniment in church music to ensembles for the enjoyment of the nobility. It has long been the custom to arrange pieces written for solo organ and other keyboard instruments for viol ensemble playing, and Phantasm, one of the leading viol ensembles in the U.K., has followed this practice by recording two albums of viol ensemble performances of pieces from Bach's "Peerless Clavier" on The third album, which was well received by the public, was released on LINN RECORDS. This third volume, which has been well received, includes a number of organ works from "Clavier Exercises, Volume 3" and "Inventions and Sinfonias" that touch on the historical roots of this performance format. While evoking the traditions of 17th century Germany, where Bach was born, the sublime interpretations of the virtuoso musicians of Phantasm are sure to leave a deep impression on the audience.By illuminating the music from a different angle than it was originally performed on the original instruments, the audience will notice the unexpected depth hidden in each piece. Naxos Japan