Johann Sebastian Bach’s two concertos for three harpsichords, in D minor BWV 1063 and C major BWV 1064, are rarely performed live, though they are rich and satisfying works; the C Major is one of the finest of all Baroque concertos. Bach seems to have arranged them in the 1740s from earlier string concertos to play with his sons in Leipzig concerts. We contrast them with Steven Devine’s scintillating new arrangement for three harpsichords of the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor. The programme is completed by Brandenburg Concerto no. 4, with its dazzling violin solo and obbligato recorder parts.
Steven Devine is one of the world’s leading early music specialists, celebrated as a soloist as well as a director of leading ensembles here and abroad. Tassilo Erhardt and Claire Williams are regular members of SVF’s team of soloists. They are joined by Satoko DoiLuck, a distinguished Japanese harpsichordist and composer, working in London.
Performers:
Steven Devine, Claire Williams, Satoko DoiLuck harpsichord
Tassilo Erhardt violin
The John Jenkins Consort
directed by Steven Devine
