Johann Sebastian Bach - Sonatas for Violin & Continuo (Isabelle Faust; Kristian Bezuidenhout; Kristin von der Goltz)

Information

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

• Sonata for Violin and Continuo in E Minor, BWV 1023
• Sonata for Violin and Continuo in G Major, BWV 1021
• Sonata for Violin and Continuo in C Minor, BWV 1024
• Sonata for Violin and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Major, BWV 1019a (Early Version)
• Fugue for Violin and Continuo in G Minor, BWV 1026
• Sonata for Violin and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Minor, BWV 1029

Isabelle Faust, baroque violin

Kristin von der Goltz, cello

Kristian Bezuidenhout, harpsichord

Date: 2025

Label: harmonia mundi

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Following on from their recording of the sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord, Isabelle Faust and Kristian Bezuidenhout are now joined by Kristin von der Goltz for an exploration of the wonderful pieces Bach composed for violin and basso continuo. They reveal to the full the elegance and poetry of these rarely recorded works.

Isabelle Faust (b. 1972) is an internationally acclaimed violinist known for her historically informed, deeply contextualized interpretations that span a wide repertoire. After winning the Leopold Mozart and Paganini competitions early in her career, she went on to perform with major orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, NHK Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra of Europe, collaborating with conductors including Claudio Abbado, Frans Brüggen, John Eliot Gardiner, Bernard Haitink, and Andris Nelsons. Equally devoted to contemporary music, she champions works by Péter Eötvös, Brett Dean, and others. Her award-winning discography includes highly praised recordings of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, Beethoven and Berg concertos with Abbado, Britten’s Violin Concerto, Ligeti’s Violin Concerto, and Baroque repertoire with Il Giardino Armonico.

Kristian Bezuidenhout (b. 1979) is a leading keyboard artist acclaimed for his versatility on fortepiano, harpsichord, and modern piano. Born in South Africa, he studied in Australia and at the Eastman School of Music, training with Rebecca Penneys, Arthur Haas, Malcolm Bilson, and Paul O’Dette. He gained international recognition at 21 by winning first prize and the audience prize at the Bruges Fortepiano Competition. Currently Artistic Director of the Freiburger Barockorchester and Principal Guest Director of the English Concert, he collaborates with major ensembles worldwide and has worked alongside leading conductors and soloists. His extensive harmonia mundi discography includes Mozart’s complete solo keyboard works, Bach sonatas with Isabelle Faust, Winterreise with Mark Padmore, Haydn sonatas, and Beethoven concerti with the Freiburger Barockorchester.

Kristin von der Goltz (b. 1966) is a German cellist renowned for her mastery of both modern and Baroque cello. She studied with Christoph Henkel in Freiburg and William Pleeth in London, performing early on with the New Philharmonia Orchestra under Giuseppe Sinopoli. A member of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra (1991–2004) and later the Berliner Barock Solisten, she also served as principal cellist of the Munich Chamber Orchestra. She regularly conducts Barokkanerne and has performed with Trio Vivente for over 30 years. Professor of Baroque Cello in Frankfurt and Munich, she combines performance and teaching. Her acclaimed discography includes a recent recording of Geminiani’s cello sonatas.