JS Bach's forebears (PDF) - Academy of Ancient Music

The Bach Dynasty:
Brandenburg Concertos
Tuesday 19 October
Cadogan Hall, London
Pre- concert talk with Richard Egarr at 6.30pm
See inside back cover for details of how to book
The AAM and Richard Egarr bring their distinctive interpretation of JS Bach’s
Brandenburg Concertos to Cadogan Hall on the heels of a celebrated new
recording and a 14-concert tour of the USA.
The Brandenburg story is well known. Having been penned in the 1710s, the
concertos were presented by Bach to the Margrave of Brandenburg in a
concerted but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to gain princely patronage;
and in the Margrave’s library they languished, unperformed, unnoticed and
seemingly forgotten even by Bach’s closest family — until they were
rediscovered many years after his death.
Happily for the music lovers of today, these works, replete with vibrant
contrast and glittering instrumental virtuosity, were quickly recognized as
some of the most masterful music of the baroque period. In the words of
Richard Egarr, “these six concertos represent one of the glories of the
instrumental repertoire — and arguably some of the best chamber music
ever penned”.
“
The Egarr- AAM Brandenburgs really blow. In a
good way. They blow centuries of library dust off
these pieces, and they blow fantastic horn and
trumpet lines. Egarr & co are in it to win it! Whew!
The first disc hardly played 10 seconds when I was
grabbing for the remote control to play again the
most amazing horn parts I have ever heard —
wild, outdoorsy, jazzy, almost bepop. As the six
concertos unfolded, there was no sense of
letdown, just continuing pleasant surprises...
So, yes, a very strong recommendation...
STEREOPHILE MAGAZINE, JUNE 2009
”
14 ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC, 2010-2011 SEASON