Following a rock/metal album recorded with his band ORBI [BIS-2297], Bram van Sambeek returns with his own idea of a dance album. For it he has selected four works by Johann Sebastian Bach that consist mainly of typical baroque dances – but just as van Sambeek’s metal album wasn’t made for headbanging, Bach’s dances weren’t meant for dancing, but rather to be listened to. The album opens with van Sambeek’s own arrangement of the celebrated Partita in C minor for keyboard which he describes in his liner notes as one of his favorite works to listen to. The arrangement includes every note of the original keyboard part and is for no less than eight bassoons – all played by van Sambeek using multitrack recording technique. The idea for this came from having spent months in lockdown due to the pandemic: even though musicians were unable to play together, the urge to play actual harmonies persisted. Four movements from another keyboard work – the French Suite No. 5 – are also included on the disc, but as these are melodic rather than contrapuntal they have lent themselves to be arranged for a single voice. The remaining two works are the Flute Partita in A minor and Cello Suite No. 1, adding to an overall result which allows a new look on well-known works, with new nuances and colors.
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Reviews
“… If you are a bassoonist, or you simply like the instrument, I can give this disc a strong recommendation. If you don’t play or dote on the bassoon, but are crazy about Bach, I still recommend this disc…”
Raymond Tuttle – Fanfare – March/April 2023
“… Van Sambeek offers a robust sound and a naturally expressive personality; and he fills each section with nimble fingers and articulation and generous phrasing and dynamics… He approaches Bach with the enthusiasm and commitment of a rock star; and his effort here is a good reminder that a lot of old music still has meaning and power.”
Patrick Hanudel – American Record Guide – January/February 2023
“Bram van Sambek brings us Bach on the bassoon… his playing is bold, beguiling and sufficiently bombastic…”
Mark Seow – Gramophone magazine – December 2022
Performance *** Recording ****
“…This collection of arrangements for bassoon of keyboard, cello and flute suites is bold, occasionally challenging, but almost always engaging…”
Jan Smaczny – BBC Music magazine – December 2022
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