Bach, J S: Fantasia in A minor, BWV922

As harpsichordist, conductor, and musical director of the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset is one of the finest interpreters of Baroque music. His first recording for Aparté, devoted to Louis Couperin, was received most enthusiastically by public and critics alike, and collected many distinctions in the international press including BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Choice.

Now at the peak of his maturity, the artist presents an original programme, Bach Fantasy, in which he treats us to little-known works but also standards by the great J.S. Bach. Apart from the important sets of works, including the Goldberg Variations, the Well-Tempered Clavier, the keyboard Suites and Partitas, many miscellaneous pieces by Bach have come down to us in the hand of his pupils and admirers: early essays, pieces of a didactic nature, evocations of emotions, and sometimes all of the above. Christophe Rousset plays these pieces on the 1632 Ruckers harpsichord of Neuchâtel, one of the finest in the world.

"This recording is the result of "love at first sight" – mine for this wonderful Dulcken harpsichord! I have been fortunate in having had opportunity to play the instrument on several occasions, each time with the same emotion. Following my fancy, I played pieces that particularly appeal to me emotionally, most of them written by that great man of genius, Johann Sebastian Bach, since the qualities of this extraordinary instrument are so perfectly attuned to his music, combining brilliance and refinement, power and interiority. I have tried to create a programme that is both diverse and coherent, including various writing processes and genres of which Bach particularly found, such as traditional counterpoint, the fantasia and dances. The dances I have chosen have been isolated from their suites so that we may hear them differently and see them in a new light, in a different context, thus also highlighting their specificities. In the same spirit, I have also removed other pieces from their usual contexts. In the end the programme offers a contrast in forms, effects and atmospheres, like a concert; but there is unity in the perfect entente between the music and this exceptional instrument by Dulcken." Violaine Cochard

Léon Berben gained his solo diploma in organ and harpsichord in Amsterdam and the Hague. He has played with Musica Antiqua Köln since 2000 and has recorded many CDs. After this ensemble was dissolved, he pursued a solo career and is considered to be a master in his field. His solo recordings on historic instruments have received great critical acclaim.