Thomas Goetschel, Viola da Gamba & Yvonne Ritter, Harpsichord

Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord BWV 1027-1029

The three gamba sonatas were written in the early 1740s. It remains unclear whether Johann Sebastian Bach intended to create a complete cycle (usually made up of six similar works), or whether the individual sonatas simply survived by happenstance and do not in fact form a unit. The assumption that Bach was indeed the composer rests on the fact that the Sonata in G minor (BWV 1029) has survived in Bach's autograph. The two remaining sonatas, however, exist only as posthumous copies made in the circle of Bach’s sons of a manuscript that must have resembled the sonata penned by Bach himself. Bach's manuscript can be dated to the beginning of the last decade of the composer’s life based on certain traits particular to his handwriting at that time. [...]
Whereas in its late period, the viola da gamba was considered to possess melancholy qualities first and foremost, especially in the German-speaking world, Bach explores a far richer range of expression on this instrument: a sense of confidence, a cheerful mood and a lively character prevail in extended passages in the three sonatas.

Seven-string bass viol - attributed to Johann Christian Hoffmann, Leipzig c.1720
The instrument was restored in 1980 in the workshop of W.E. Hill & Sons of London and attributed to Johann Christian Hoffmann. Hoffmann was born in 1682 in Leipzig, where he spent his entire life. His craftsmanship was also held in high esteem at the Dresden court, which is why he was allowed to use the title of Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon court lute and instrument maker. [...]

The Gräbner Harpsichord
From the 17th to the 19th century, Dresden was home to a family whose members were all court organists, organ builders, harpsichord makers and later also fortepiano builders: Johann Heinrich Gräbner the Elder (1665-1710) was an extremely sought-after harpsichord builder and was also employed at the Dresden court. Gräbner's son Johann Heinrich Gräbner the Younger (1705-1777) likewise was a harpsichord maker highly esteemed beyond the borders of Saxony. [...]

[extract of the booklet text]

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