JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH COMPLETE FLUTE SONATAS
The flute sonatas of Johann Sebastian Bach have been a staple in the repertoire of flutists since their composition in the eighteenth century. They have been analyzed, recorded and performed by countless scholars and musicians, and they continue to occupy an important and beloved place in the hearts of players of both baroque and modern flutes. With the increase in interest in historical performance over the last few years, flutists have sought to understand these pieces in the context of their position in the output of Bach, as well as in the entire repertoire for the instrument.
Baroque flutists Kathie Stewart and Stephen Schultz collaborate to offer a new, exciting and historically informed presentation of the four authentic solo sonatas, the G Major Triosonata, and the C Major Triosonata formerly attributed to Bach. Their unique approach to the performance of these important works inspires and educates audiences in performance practice and exquisite music making. Performing on reproductions of the flutes for which Bach wrote the music, Ms. Stewart (Oberlin Conservatory) and Mr. Schultz (Carnegie Mellon University) present this program in collaboration with Webb Wiggins, harpsichord (Oberlin Conservatory) and Steuart Pincombe (Apollo's Fire), baroque cello.
Never before has such cutting edge historically informed performance been married to the current scholarly thinking regarding Bach, performance practice and this body of music. The result is a recording documenting innovative performances of these important sonatas, live interactive concerts for the enjoyment of flutists and concert goers, and, most importantly, masterclasses for players of traverso and modern flute, as well as for continuo players. This ensemble, known as "the bach project," hopes to disseminate an understanding of these pieces, the performance practice issues involved in preparing them, and, by extension, a deeper comprehension of the musical process involved in the compositions of Bach.
