Johann Sebastian Bach - The Bach Dialogues (Matt Haimovitz; Christopher O'Riley)

Information

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

• Trio Sonata No. 5, BWV 529
• Sonata No. 3 in G Minor, BWV 1029
• Sonata No. 2 in D Major, BWV 1028
• Sonata No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1027

Matt Haimovitz, 5-string cello piccolo

Christopher O'Riley, clavichord

Date: 2026

Label: Pentatone

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This recording explores the expressive world of J. S. Bach through two of his favored instruments, the clavichord and cello piccolo, whose intimate timbres illuminate the composer’s musical intentions. Emphasizing resonance as a guiding principle, the performance fosters a dialogue across instruments, time, and human expression. Recorded at Skywalker Sound, the sessions combined historical instruments with advanced recording techniques to capture exceptional clarity and nuance. The use of a Swedish-style baroque clavichord, along with a baroque bow and gut strings, reveals the depth of articulation and affect in Bach’s music, resulting in a vivid and thoughtfully realized interpretation.

Multi-Grammy-nominated cellist Matt Haimovitz (b. 1970) is celebrated for his virtuosic talent, adventurous spirit, and genre-defying approach. Praised by The New York Times and The New Yorker, he reimagines classical repertoire, champions contemporary music, and spearheads innovative collaborations and recordings. Debuting at 13 with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic, Haimovitz has since performed with major orchestras worldwide. He mentors young cellists at McGill University and serves as the first John Cage Fellow at Mannes School of Music. His recording career spans over three decades, with honors including the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Grand Prix du Disque. He plays a 1710 Matteo Gofriller cello.

Christopher O’Riley (b. 1956) is a pianist, arranger, composer, educator, and media personality whose career spans classical, contemporary, and cross-genre projects. His current focus is Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, explored both in performance and in a video lecture series, highlighting creativity within Bach’s minimal notation. Known for his 20-year role as host of NPR’s From the Top and the Emmy-winning PBS version, O’Riley has also reached wide audiences through his genre-blending Radiohead and Nick Drake arrangements, acclaimed by Rolling Stone. Collaborations with cellist Matt Haimovitz produced innovative projects spanning Stravinsky to Hitchcock. As a composer, O’Riley has written for novels, plays, films, and podcasts.