Discography
J.S. Bach: Keyboard Works
Fantasia & Fugue, BWV 904 - English Suite No. 3, BWV 808 - The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080
Artist
Mengyue Jia
Release Date
April 21, 2023
Total Duration
51:24
Tracks
12 tracks
This recording explores three distinct genres of Johann Sebastian Bach's keyboard compositions. The program includes the expressive Fantasia and Fugue in A Minor, the structurally sophisticated English Suite No. 3, and selected contrapuncti from The Art of Fugue—Bach's ultimate exploration of counterpoint. Each work demonstrates different facets of Bach's compositional genius, from intimate expression to dance forms to intricate polyphony.
Track Listing
Fantasia & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 904
English Suite No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 808
The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080 (Selections)
About This Recording
The Instrument
Harpsichord
Built by William Dowd, 1982
After Nicolas Blanchet (Paris, 1730)
French-style double-manual harpsichord with two sets of 8-foot strings and one set of 4-foot strings
A=415Hz, Kirnberger III temperament
Program Notes
Fantasia & Fugue
The Fantasia and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 904, was probably composed around 1725 for clavichord or harpsichord. The fantasia is expressive with sweeping scales and arpeggios, followed by a fugue with double subjects that demonstrates Bach's mastery of the form.
English Suite No. 3
The English Suite No. 3 in G Minor represents Bach's perfection of the Baroque dance suite. Following the standard Allemande-Courante-Sarabande-Gigue structure with additional dances between, this suite features a beautifully embellished sarabande, an energetic gavotte, and a fugal gigue with a unique subject.
The Art of Fugue
The Art of Fugue is the culmination of Bach's lifelong exploration of counterpoint. This recording presents four contrapuncti (nos. 1, 8, 9, 11) demonstrating increasing complexity—from a single subject to works with two and three subjects, showcasing the contrapuntal possibilities inherent in a single musical theme.
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