Cécile Mansuy, Organ and Harpsichord

Series Chromart Classics

When the name Bach is mentioned, most people think of the Brandenburg Concertos, the Christmas Oratorio or the Passions; perhaps one remembers individual pieces from the collection of Inventions or the Well-Tempered Clavier that were not so easy at piano lessons. All these famous cycles are works from the composer's mature years. But what were his beginnings like, his early steps of the way to mastery? The programme of this CD sheds light on some of these early pieces. They make it clear that Johann Sebastian Bach, already in his early years, gave evidence of an enormous creative potential. They are no less exciting for this reason, in our opinion; on the contrary, they offer us an opportunity to make comparisons with better-known, later works and to formulate thoughts about the paths and means of one of the great masters of our art.
The decision to begin the programme of this CD with organ music and to continue accompanying the interpreter on the harpsichord during the second part makes it possible for the listener to settle in to the pieces — the music is first revealed in the large acoustics of the church and then in the closeness and intimacy of the harpsichord.

CD programme (Tracklist):