Bach Little Books

The repertoire on this CD is taken from seven sources that bring us closer to Bach the musician, composer and teacher in his domestic milieu.

Franceso Corti has recorded music from the less familiar, or perhaps less famous side of J.S. Bach's catalog, pieces collected in books for relatives, teaching pieces, early pieces, and music popular in the Bach family written by others. The best description for this music, I think is Hausmusik.

The recording is clear and well-captured, on a good sounding harpsichord. I can't say that a harpsichord is the best or only instrument for Hausmusik, knowing Bach's preference for the clavichord. That bit aside, there's nothing in want for the sound; the instrument is warm, recorded in a supportive acoustic.

The liner notes say that the least familiar work might by BWV 992, the Capriccio on the depature of a beloved brother. I am not sure after the book and movie Call Me By Your Name that the piece is as obscure, but it is one of Bach's earlier pieces we have, likely composed around 1705. The notes point out to its simliarity to Kuhnau's suites. Each movement has a description which portray's Bach's musical solution to specific emotions. {The movement made famous by the Aciman book is the fifth movement, Aria di Postglione.)

The recording includes a suite by Telemann, an arrangement, as it were, and I think it's more successful than some of Telemann's keyboard works. Corti's performance in the fast movements is exciting and technically brilliant.

French Suite no. 4 is included, as well as the Prelude, fugue, and Allegro for lute, BWV 998.

Despite these being not the most famous or profound of Bach's keyboard works, it's a fairly interesting recital. Rarely have these pieces sounded quite as good.