Bach: Italian Concerto, French Overture and Other Works Steven Devine (harpsichord)

JS Bach Italian Concerto, French Overture, and Other Works for harpsichord
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Artist: Steven Devine, Johann Sebasstian bach
Genre: Classical
Label: Chandos Chaconne

The Italian Concerto, French Overture and Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue are among Bach's greatest keyboard works. Steven Devine offers them in the company of two less well-known pieces, the early Aria variata 'alla maniera italiana' and a five-minute Fantasia, BWV906, that is missing its fugue. The short Fantasia is tautly compressed, and the variations are fascinating to compare and contrast with the great Goldbergs, Bach's only other set of variations for harpsi- chord. Steven Devine plays with drive and flexibility, though the recording of his instrument (a copy by Colin Booth of a 1710 single manual harpsichord by Johann Christof Fleischer) may be too close for some tastes. url.ie/f1f2

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan is a music critic and Irish Times contributor