5060216349770

Bach: The French Suites

Alexandra Papastefanou

Regular
£12.99
Sale
Regular
£12.99
Unavailable
Unit Price
per 

Format: 2CD

Cat No: FHR070

Release Date:  01 November 2019

Label:  First Hand Records

Packaging Type:  Digipak

No of Units:  2

Barcode:  5060216349770

Genres:  Classical  Solo Instrumental  

  • Description

    The second album for FHR by the award winning, leading interpreter of J.S. Bach on piano: Alexandra Papastefanou. Here, we are presented with another classic set of keyboard works by the composer, The French Suites.

    Papastefanou, Greece's leading pianist, is now regarded worldwide as a leading exponent of Bach on the piano. Her previous recording for FHR (The Well-Tempered Clavier, 2018 [FHR65], did incredibly well with the music press and critics (MusicWeb International RECORDING OF THE MONTH
    The Union of Greek Theatre and Music Critics Award: BEST RECORDING OF 2018, 5 stars from BBC Music Magazine).

    On listening to Alexandra's Well-Tempered Clavier recording, the great pianist Alfred Brendel commented: 'I find Papastefanou's Bach riveting. This is Bach playing on a high level – full of life, controlled in all strands of the music, pianistically immaculate, and highly personal. Here is a Bach player who has lived a lifetime with this music.'

    Amongst the other works featured on the album is the Keyboard Sonata, BWV 964, Bach's own transcription for keyboard of the Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003 for Solo Violin. This is rarely recorded on the piano, so it's a welcome addition to the catalogue.

    CRITICAL ACCLAIM

    "a performance of considerable virtuosity and imagination" - The Arts Desk

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812 - Allemande
      • 2. French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812 - Courante
      • 3. French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812 - Sarabande
      • 4. French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812 - Menuet I And Menuet II
      • 5. French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812 - Gigue
      • 6. French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 - Allemande
      • 7. French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 - Courante
      • 8. French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 - Sarabande
      • 9. French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 - Air
      • 10. French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 - Menuet I And Menuet II
      • 11. French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813 - Gigue
      • 12. French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 - Allemande
      • 13. French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 - Courante
      • 14. French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 - Sarabande
      • 15. French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 - Anglaise
      • 16. French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 - Menuet I - Trio - Menuet II
      • 17. French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814 - Gigue
      • 18. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Prelude
      • 19. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Allemande
      • 20. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Courante
      • 21. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Sarabande
      • 22. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Gavotte I and Gavotte II
      • 23. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Menuet
      • 24. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Air
      • 25. French Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 815 - Gigue

      Disc 2

      • 1. Adagio in G major, BWV 968
      • 2. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Allemande
      • 3. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Courante
      • 4. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Sarabande
      • 5. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Gavotte
      • 6. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Bourree
      • 7. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Loure
      • 8. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 - Gigue
      • 9. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Allemande
      • 10. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Courante
      • 11. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Sarabande
      • 12. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Gavotte
      • 13. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Polonaise
      • 14. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Menuet
      • 15. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Bourree
      • 16. French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817 - Gigue
      • 17. Fantasia in G minor, BWV 920
      • 18. Prélude (Fantasia) in C minor, BWV 921
      • 19. Fantasia in A minor, BWV 922
      • 20. Keyboard Sonata in D minor, BWV 964 - Adagio
      • 21. Keyboard Sonata in D minor, BWV 964 - Fuga (Allegro)
      • 22. Keyboard Sonata in D minor, BWV 964 - Andante
      • 23. Keyboard Sonata in D minor, BWV 964 - Allegro