Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Chaconne, Air, Gavotte En Rondeau (Joshua Bell, Aca

Bach, Johann Sebastian
Sony Classical
Classical | Mar 2015

Reviews

Larry Koran
Reviewed 2015-03-31
Joshua Bell made his first appearance as a soloist at age 7 playing a Bach concerto, but this is his first Bach recording. Here, he combines tasteful “Romantic Period” style with “historically informed” tradition of Bach playing. Mendelssohn was instrumental in reviving Bach’s reputation in the 19th century and wrote a piano accompaniment to the Chaconne. His work inspired Schumann to write piano accompaniments to all six of the solo Sonatas and Partitas, and these underlie the orchestration heard here. The concertos are marked by elegance, grace and charm in the outer mvmts. The 3rd mvmt of the A minor tempts one in the finale to do a little jig. The E Major’s outer mvmts sparkle and shimmer. The 1st mvmt is sunny and carefree. The two concertos’ middle mvmts convey emotionally concentrated beauty. The E major contrasts dark intensity with sublime moments of golden light. The Chaconne delivers brilliantly varied, emotionally intense, hauntingly beautiful music. The Air on a G String sings with tranquil but sad beauty. The Gavotte dances merrily.

1. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041, I. Allegro (3:17)
2. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041, II. Andante (6:30)
3. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041, III. Allegro assai (3:22)
4. Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042, I. Allegro (6:51)
5. Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042, II. Adagio (5:51)
6. Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042, III. Allegro assai (2:28)
7. Chaconne from Partita No. 2 (arr. Felix Mendelssohn) (13:26)
8. Air on the G String (4:52)
9. Gavotte en Rondeau from Partita No. 3 (arr. Robert Schumann) (2:49)

Recent airplay

Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, I. Allegro (3:17)
A Visit From DrumMay 28, 2015
Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, I. Allegro (3:17)
That's Not BluegrassMay 19, 2015
Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, Iii. Allegro Assai (3:22), Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, Ii. Andante (6:30), Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, I. Allegro (3:17)
In Your Ear RadioApr 14, 2015
Gavotte En Rondeau From Partita No. 3 (Arr. Robert Schumann) (2:49), Violin Concerto No. 2 In E Major, Bwv 1042, I. Allegro (6:51)
4-8-2015Apr 08, 2015
Chaconne From Partita No. 2 (Arr. Felix Mendelssohn) (13:26)
In Your Ear RadioApr 07, 2015

Charting

2015-04-03 — 2015-06-05 Classical/Experimental
Week EndingAirplays
May 31 1
May 24 1
Apr 19 1
Apr 12 2

Track listing

1. Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, I. Allegro (3:17)
2. Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, Ii. Andante (6:30)
3. Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Bwv 1041, Iii. Allegro Assai (3:22)
4. Violin Concerto No. 2 In E Major, Bwv 1042, I. Allegro (6:51)
5. Violin Concerto No. 2 In E Major, Bwv 1042, Ii. Adagio (5:51)
6. Violin Concerto No. 2 In E Major, Bwv 1042, Iii. Allegro Assai (2:28)
7. Chaconne From Partita No. 2 (Arr. Felix Mendelssohn) (13:26)
8. Air On The G String (4:52)
9. Gavotte En Rondeau From Partita No. 3 (Arr. Robert Schumann) (2:49)