JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750)

The Complete Flute Sonatas

Lisa Beznosiuk - flute

Paul Nicholson - harpsichord

Richard Tunnicliffe - cello

with Rachel Brown - flute

Elizabeth Kenny – archlute

COMPACT DISC 1

Sonata in E minor BWV1034 flute, harpsichord & cello

1 Adagio ma non tanto [3'18]

2 Allegro [2'31]

3 Andante [3'29]

4 Allegro [4'28]

Sonata in A major BWV1032 flute & harpsichord

5 Vivace [5'38]

6 Largo e dolce [3'25]

7 Allegro [4'22]

Partita in A minor BWV1013 flute solo

8 Allemande [5'12]

9 Corrente [3'52]

10 Sarabande [6'51]

11 Bourrée Angloise [2'37]

Trio Sonata in G major BWV1039 two flutes, harpsichord & cello

12 Adagio [3'45]

13 Allegro ma non presto [3'26]

14 Adagio e piano [2'19]

15 Presto [2'55]

COMPACT DISC 2

Sonata in B minor BWV1030 flute & harpsichord

1 Andante [8'11]

2 Largo e dolce [4'01]

3 Presto – Allegro [5'32]

Sonata in E major BWV1035 flute, archlute & cello

4 Adagio ma non tanto [2'34]

5 Allegro [3'06]

6 Siciliano [4'33]

7 Allegro assai [3'03]

Sonata in G minor BWV1020 (attribution) flute & harpsichord

8 [untitled] [3'46]

9 Adagio [3'31]

10 Allegro [4'55]

Sonata in C major BWV1033 (attribution) flute, harpsichord & cello

11 Andante [1'30] 12 Allegro [2'41] 13 Adagio [1'50] 14 Menuetto I and II [2'11]

Sonata in E flat major BWV1031 (attribution) flute & harpsichord

15 Allegro moderato [3'41] 16 Siciliano [2'21] 17 Allegro [4'25]

These flute sonatas were written between about 1720 and 1741 at a time when the recorder was being superseded by the transverse flute. After about 1725 compositions specifically for or including recorder became increasingly rare, and these works are a celebration by Bach of the technical and expressive qualities and tonal colours newly available to him.

These are elegant and stylish performances, the use of authentic flutes adding a rich and mellow beauty to the quality of the sound.

‘These are performances I am going to be returning to again and again’ (International Record Review)

‘Lisa Beznosiuk sait prendre le temps de respirer, de suspendre la phrase, de ménager les traits virtuoses’ (Répertoire, France)

‘Beznosiuk plays accurately, with a huge dark sound and an easy-going fluency that makes these difficult pieces sound as easy as the first lessons in a Suzuki method class … this is a good, solid version of these fundamental works’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Constant pleasure throughout … among the many recordings of these works, this stands high on the list’ (Goldberg)

‘Nicholson, Tunnicliffe, and Kenny engage with Beznosiuk and her musical ideas, creating excellent chamber music’ (American Record Guide)

‘The playing of the accompanying ensemble shares the distinction of the flautist … congratulations are well deserved all round’ (Early Music Review)

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE PICK OF THE MONTH

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