SEVEN TOCCATAS FOR HARPSICHORD

Composer(s): Johann Sebastian Bach

Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen
Reference: KTC1722
Barcode: 8720366006295
Format: 1 CD
Release date: 2021-05-01
SKU: KTC1722 Categories: ,

€ 21,50

Johann Sebastian Bach: Harpsichord Toccatas
Pieter Dirksen

Bach's sequel of seven Toccatas for Harpsichord BWV 910-916 has always presented something of an enigma in his oeuvre: on the one hand old-fashioned in its use of multisectional forms, on the other full of dramatic contrasts and unabashed virtuosity. However, renowned harpsichordist Pieter Dirksen has found a new approach to these pieces. He discovered that one of them, the Toccata in f# minor BWV 910, actually forms a tombeau on the death of Bach's mentor Dietrich Buxtehude. What is more, they seem to depict the nature of the seven planets of the by then already old-fashioned, Ptolemaic planetary order: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Bach not only paid a final tribute in these works to an archaic genre (the toccata), an older music tradition as well as to its supreme master, Buxtehude, but at the same time to a world view that was quickly losing ground as the "Enlightenment" of the eighteenth century started spreading its wings. These youthful, exuberant masterpieces can thus be heard from a completely new perspective.

1. Toccata in F-Sharp Minor BWV. 910, Moon: Passaggio-adagio – Fuga (Presto e staccato) – Adagio – Fuga
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

2. Toccata in E Minor BWV. 914, Mercury: Passaggio – Fuga (un poco Allegro) – Adagio – Fuga (Allegro)
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

3. Toccata in G Major BWV. 916, Venus: Passaggio/Allegro – Adagio – Fuga (Allegro e presto)
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

4. Toccata in D Minor BWV. 913, Sun: Passaggio-adagio – Fuga – Adagio – Fuga Allegro
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

5. Toccata in D Major BWV. 912, Mars: Passaggio – Allegro – Adagio-fuga-adagio – Fuga (Presto)
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

6. Toccata in C Minor BWV. 911, Jupiter: Passaggio – Adagio – Fuga (Allegro)-adagio – Fuga (Allegro)-adagio-presto
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

7. Toccata in G Minor BWV. 915, Saturn: Passaggio-adagio – Allegro-adagio – Fuga – Passaggio-adagio
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist(s): Pieter Dirksen

Artists

Composers

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “SEVEN TOCCATAS FOR HARPSICHORD”

Related Releases

Shopping Cart

Start typing and press enter to search

SEVEN TOCCATAS FOR HARPSICHORD
€ 21,50

Johann Sebastian Bach: Harpsichord Toccatas
Pieter Dirksen

Bach's sequel of seven Toccatas for Harpsichord BWV 910-916 has always presented something of an enigma in his oeuvre: on the one hand old-fashioned in its use of multisectional forms, on the other full of dramatic contrasts and unabashed virtuosity. However, renowned harpsichordist Pieter Dirksen has found a new approach to these pieces. He discovered that one of them, the Toccata in f# minor BWV 910, actually forms a tombeau on the death of Bach's mentor Dietrich Buxtehude. What is more, they seem to depict the nature of the seven planets of the by then already old-fashioned, Ptolemaic planetary order: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Bach not only paid a final tribute in these works to an archaic genre (the toccata), an older music tradition as well as to its supreme master, Buxtehude, but at the same time to a world view that was quickly losing ground as the "Enlightenment" of the eighteenth century started spreading its wings. These youthful, exuberant masterpieces can thus be heard from a completely new perspective.