Bach is best known for his signature keyboard works
- the Goldberg Variations, the Well-Tempered Clavier, and the sets of
suites, the French Suites, English Suites and Partitas. But he also
composed several disparate works that do not fit into any "collection",
such as the Italian Concerto, the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, and
other, miscellaneous pieces. This disc gives a uniquely original program
of Bach’s lesser known harpsichord music, and does so with great taste
and talent.
Bach wrote two works for keyboard in the "Italian
manner": the Aria variata in the Italian manner BWV 989 and the
Italian Concerto in F major BWV 971. The latter is certainly well-known,
but the Aria variata, a series of variations on an initial aria, is
an early work that is not often recorded. It has the beauty of Buxtehude’s
variations, and, while it lacks the virtuosity of some of Bach’s later
keyboard works, it is certainly a beautiful piece. Charlston plays this
with subtlety and refinement, avoiding excessive ornamentation, and
gives the right energy in the faster variation and the correct emotion
in the slower ones.
The virtuosic Italian Concerto, which features some
of Bach’s most exuberant keyboard writing, is one of his great, single
works. Charlston seems a bit hesitant in the opening movement, and his
tempo is a bit slow, perhaps. But his playing, which privileges the
energy in the piece, is excellent. The slow, second movement, is beautifully
performed, and the final presto resounds in joy and musical happiness.
Charlston includes, on this disc, a performance of
the Aria from the Clavierbühlein for Anna Magdalena Bach BWV 988,
which is the opening aria from the Goldberg Variations. He plays this
beautifully, making this listener hope to hear him record the Goldbergs
in the near future, and on this very harpsichord. Also on this disc
is a beautiful recording of the Prelude in C minor BWV 999, originally
written for lute, played with the lute-stop of the harpsichord. I particularly
like this piece, and find this performance mesmerizing.
Charlston plays a magnificent-sounding Ruckers copy
by Andrew Garlick, which is recorded perfectly, with just the right
balance between presence and reverberation. This is a disc to listen
to on good headphones - the instrument is about as good as they come.
This fine recording of some of Bach’s lesser known
works - and the masterpiece Italian Concerto - stands out for its excellent
sound and performance. A must-have recording for those who want to discover
some of Bach’s disparate works, and hear a fine performer play an excellent
harpsichord.
Kirk McElhearn
for
details 
Terence Charlston, harpsichord