Description
German clavichordist Sigrun Stephan presents a cleverly realised disc revolving around Johann Sebastian Bach and his kindred spirits. The clavichord is the softest but most sensitive member of the keyboard instrument family, and here she displays great sensitivity.
Personal and familial kinships between the composers are evident throughout. JS Bach chose Johann Adam Reincken, around 40 years his senior, as his teacher: Reincken can certainly be described as a musical father, a true kindred spirit, to Bach. Johann Gottfried Müthel slots into the ensemble as a logical consequence. He was Bach's last pupil and he composed in a consistently new and non-contrapuntal style. In this respect, he is musically much closer to Bach's sons Carl Philipp Emanuel and Wilhelm Friedemann (both also taught by their father), almost a brother to them.
The recording opens with a JS Bach prelude, introducing the soft sounds of the clavichord. Cast in C minor, the prelude ends with a bright G major chord, making it a perfect introduction to the following suite. Reincken, the master of the fugue, is represented by his Suite in G major, a fine and free composition which could not sound more beautiful on any other keyboard instrument. The album continues with works by CPE Bach, WF Bach and Müthel as well as further pieces by Bach himself, including a Prelude and Fugue from 'The 48'.