Bach, J S - Sonatas - Russell, Lucy / Butt, John
Prize-winning Bach specialist John Butt O.B.E. and distinguished violinist Lucy Russell deliver a personal and historically informed performance on J.S. Bach: Sonatas for violin and harpsichord. The interpretations benefit from Butt and Russells combined cumulative experience gained over a lifetime of study, together with an evident rapport honed during their work with Dunedin Consort. Russells performance explores the colours and emotions present in the music as well as highlighting Bachs good humour and quirkiness. The duo relish the energetic dialogue and astonishingly diverse moods and characters present in Bachs music: from the supremely expressive violin voice at the opening of the first sonata to the playful rhythmic tricks in the last movement of Sonata No. 4. Bachs fiendishly complex fugal writing and typically delicious chromaticism is in evidence throughout these hugely enjoyable works. Butts informative booklets notes highlight the historical significance of these sonatas in which Bach introduces many of the fundamental features of an essentially new genre. Perhaps best known as director of Dunedin Consort, John Butt has won two Gramophone Awards: the Baroque Vocal Award for Handel: Messiah and the Choral Award for Mozart: Requiem. Dunedins first instrumental release, J.S. Bach: Six Brandenburg Concertos, saw Butts harpsichord solos singled out for their virtuosity and technical skill, whilst his 2014 recording of Bachs 48 received several five star reviews and Choice accolades. Lucy Russell is among the most distinguished of international violinists who have achieved eminence on both historical instruments and their modern counterparts. Russell became leader of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet in 1995 with whom she has performed all over Europe, North America, the Middle East, and South Africa.
MUSIC PRESS: ? 'Here Lucy Russell puts her own stamp on the works, giving a spirited and emotional rendering, and for that this recording is worth investing in.' Early Music Review (June 2015)
UK NATIONAL PRESS: ? 'This is playing rooted in bulletproof scholarship, but the scrunchiest harmonies and most roguish dance rhythms always win out.' The Guardian (21 May 2015)