For Ottavio Dantone, Bach is »the ultimate music genius«. The charismatic conductor and harpsichordist is a guest in Hamburg with his Accademia Bizantina and performs the ground-breaking harpsichord concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach together with three other superb harpsichordists.
With his Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Bach is considered the inventor of the harpsichord solo concerto. But one instrument was not enough for him: he brought as many as four to the stage – and to this day, the resulting concertos remain unparalleled in music history. Interestingly, the Concerto for Four Harpsichords is actually »only« an arrangement. The original version, by none other than Antonio Vivaldi, features four violins. But Bach explores the technical and tonal possibilities of the harpsichord so fully that the result becomes a distinctive work in its own right.
For over 40 years, the Accademia Bizantina has championed »the thrilling sound of Baroque music«, earning worldwide acclaim for its dynamic performances on period instruments. Almost from the very beginning, harpsichordist Ottavio Dantone has been part of the ensemble and now serves as its Artistic Director, leading it with immense experience and passionate commitment to the music.
PERFORMERS
Accademia Bizantina ensemble
Valeria Montanari harpsichord
Stefano Demicheli harpsichord
Chiara Cattani harpsichord
Ottavio Dantone harpsichord and director
PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for Three Harpsichords in C major, BWV 1064
Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for Three Harpsichords in D minor, BWV 1063
Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for Four Harpsichords in A minor, BWV 1065
Johann Sebastian Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050
Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, Basso continuo and Strings in A minor, BWV 1044 »Triple Concerto«
