KA008: J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations: Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” (BWV 988), composed for the harpsichord, provide a treasure trove for the aspiring transcriber. Ludmilla Tschakalova and Geert Van Gele have selected and transcribed a number of variations and canons from this monumental work. In the Aria and selected variations, the harpsichord uses the original bass lines, fleshing them out where necessary in basso continuo style, while the recorder plays the solo line originally written for the harpsichordist’s right hand. In the canons, the harpsichord takes the bass and one of the canonic lines, the recorder the second.
Three movements (Adagio, Allegro and Andante) from Bach’s partita for solo violin in A minor (BWV 1003) are to be heard as solo harpsichord pieces, but then in breathtaking transcriptions realized by the composer himself (BWV 964). Bach chose to transpose the pieces to the key of D minor (the Adagio and Allegro) and F major (Andante).
The sonata for recorder and harpsichord to be heard on this disc was transcribed from the original sonata for violin and obbligato harpsichord in B minor (BWV 1014) by Luc Dekelver. Again, a transposition of key proved favorable, the Adagio, Allegro and second Allegro now heard in D minor, the Andante in F major, instead of the original D major .
Geert Van Gele transcribed both solo pieces Allemande and Courante for the voice flute, a tenor recorder in D. The origins are to be found in the second partita for solo violin, BWV 1004.
