Johann Sebastian Bach

The Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop, founded in 2006, is a young, Berlin-based chamber orchestra on a mission to transform the traditional experience of concert-going. In collaboration with artists from many different fields, the ensemble searches for new forms of presentation and performance, including music theater and "concert installations".

The core of the ensemble is a string orchestra of 15 players that can split up into smaller chamber groups or be joined by guest musicians, depending on the demands of the program. The repertoire, which stretches from the early Baroque to contemporary music, requires all members of the ensemble to perform in chamber music settings as well as solistically

This new recording presents two Violin Concertos and the Double Concerto BMV 1043 by Johann Sebastian Bach. The solo violin part is played by concertmaster Elfa Rún Kristinsdóttir, also a regular guest of the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin.

Performed by Felicja Blumental, this solo piano collection includes piano rarities such as Moniuszko's Spinning Girl, Szymanowski's Etudes and Preludes, Kabalewski and Kuhlau's Sonatines and Villa-Lobos' The Three Maries among others.

This CD is a sonic spectacular and contains a varied programme of music that is mostly unknown and uncatalogued! Recorded in the cavernous acoustics of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this CD is a true hi -fi spectacular.

A very distinctive and thoughtful interpretation of Bach’s ‘academic exercise’, imbued with classical/romantic phrasing which brings the music out of its formalistic background. This 2CD set is priced as a single full price CD.

András Schiff, born in 1953 in Budapest, is nowadays one of the most appreciated and distinguished pianists in the world. Magically, he brings life into pieces, makes them breathing and swinging and keeps up almost forgotten ideals of piano playing.

Thus, he is not only a great pianist, but also a professional whose view is not limited on piano music, but who has wide knowledge of the broad field of macro culture. This enables him to play the piano which always makes sense to his own point of view.

Surely Bach’s French Suites, which he composed during his years at Cöthen (1717–1723), are among the finest inducements to practise that any teacher has ever made to a pupil. In this case Bach wrote them for his young wife, Anna Magdalena. The over-riding impression left by these suites is one of endearing tunefulness. Clavier-Übung II is a later collection of didactic keyboard pieces. It comprises two greatly contrasted works: the Italian Concerto and the Overture in the French Style. These performances admirably demonstrate the thoughtful and persuasive approach that András Schiff adopts when performing Bach.

The Concert Recording is accompanied with some interviews with András Schiff, which enriches and completes the great experience of the concert. During the interview, Schiff sits at the Steinway piano and explains the French Suites which J. S. Bach composed during 1722 and 1725 for Cembalo, but also its closeness to Bach’s Goldberg variations and Orchestra suites. He plays a short passage of a Suite, explains it and plays again, but then he interrupts himself once again. This happens without script but with refreshing spontaneity and directness. Completing this part, you can see András Schiff at the Thomas Church and Bach Museum where he talks about Bach’s years in Leipzig, his musical and personal development.

Bonus: Schiff explains Bach

Picture format: 1080i Full HD - 16:9

Sounds formats: PCM 2.0 PCM 5.1

Region code: 0

Bonus-Original Language: German

Bonus-Subtitles: English, French

Running time: 168 mins (134 mins Performance + 34 mins Bonus)

FSK: 0