Johann Sebastian Bach

Few have seen or heard the keyed fiddle (nyckelharpa). Most listeners are likely to associate it with Swedish folk music, but, as a matter of fact, this sonically rich and visually captivating instrument appeared in a wide variety of contexts during the Baroque and Renaissance eras and used to be known almost all over Europe. Having once added splendour to ensemble music and shone just as brightly in noble solitude, the keyed fiddle reemerged in a new light some sixty years ago. Nowadays, one of the most outstanding and passionate virtuosos of this instrument is the Italian maestro Marco Ambrosini. For many years now, he has been living in Germany, and it is with this country that the life and creative work of Johann Sebastian Bach, whom Ambrosini admires, are tightly intertwined. In the evergreen oeuvre of this Baroque master, Ieva Saliete, Latvia’s jewel of the harpsichord and other historical keyboards, finds continuous inspiration as well. The two experts in early music interpretation unite in a harmonious duo, spotlighting the German grandmaster’s art of sound. And along with Bach's chrestomatic two-part inventions, one can hear ancient dances arranged in the Suite in C minor (BWV 997), chorale preludes and fragments from violin suites and partitas, including one of the most famous chaconnes of all time.

Programme

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach:

Suite in C Minor BWV 997
Adagio and Presto from Sonata for Solo Violin BWV 1001

Two-voice inventions:
Invention 4 BWV 775
Invention 7 BWV 778
Invention 8 BWV 779
Invention 9 BWV 780
Invention 13 BWV 784

Chaconne from Partita for Solo Violin in D Minor BWV 1004

“Wer nun den lieben Gott lässt walten” BWV 69

Participants

Marco Ambrosini, keyed fiddle (nyckelharpa)
Ieva Saliete, organ