Bach Eskelinen

Ismo Eskelinen · Johann Sebastian Bach

2013 · ABCD 354

Credits

Performers: Ismo Eskelinen — Guitar
Composers: Johann Sebastian Bach

About this release

Bach Eskelinen
Ismo Eskelinen guitar
Ismo Eskelinen's unique Bach interpretations
The Bach Eskelinen novelty disc contains Ismo Eskelinen's interpretations of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) that he arranged for the guitar. The album features lute works, the original versions of which are mainly dance suites composed for string instruments, as well as a single part of the suite - which, however, is equivalent to a small suite in duration. The album includes: Suite in E major BWV 1006a , Suite in A minor (orig. G minor) BWV 995 , Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ in chains of death) BWV 277 and Ciaccona (from Solo Violin Partita BWV 1004).
"I have often imagined Bach giving instructions to the performers of his music today. What could he say? In the 18th century, J.M. Gesner described Bach as a conductor as "embodying rhythm with his whole body". In the title of his piano works, Bach himself characterizes the order of importance of the goals: "...before anything else, however, how to achieve the skill of singing and playing". When we also know that Bach was a great organ virtuoso and a phenomenal improviser, it should be clear what kind of example he offers us.Music must be alive here and now - eternal contemporary music.
Why a new Bach record?
For me, Bach's music is supremely skillful, wise, beautiful, powerful, tender, monumental, intimate. It has swing, multilevel rhythms, regularity and irregularity. It is joy, sorrow, outward-directed, inward-turned, always overflowing with the joy of invention. I hope that this album gives something new with its interpretations to those who are familiar with the songs played on guitar. Surprising aural images for those who are familiar with the violin and cello versions of the album's works. The joy of discovering a new, wonderful world for those who are not familiar with the works."
- Ismo Eskelinen

Tracks

Suite in E Major BWV 1006a
1.Preludecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005904:01
2.Lourecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005914:09
3.Gavotte en Rondeaucomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005923:18
4.Menuet I - Menuet IIcomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005934:17
5.Bourréecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005941:42
6.Giguecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005952:00
Suite in A Minor (orig. G Minor) BWV 995
7.Prelude - Très Vistecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005966:00
8.Allemandecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005976:12
9.Courantecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005982:16
10.Sarabandecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12005994:04
11.Gavotte I - Gavotte II en Rondeaucomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12006004:20
12.Giguecomp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12006012:18
13.Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV 277comp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA12006021:59
14.Ciaccona (from Partita for Solo Violin BWV 1004)comp. Johann Sebastian BachISRC FIABA120060314:30

Reviews

In fact, the first versions of the suites on this disc were themselves transcriptions of dance suites composed for stringed instruments.
The Huffington Post · Laurence Vittes · July 10, 2013
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…the results that Eskelinen achieves are satisfying…
Surround sound may be thought a luxury in the case of recording a solo guitar, but the sense of presence in this recording suggest the extra layer of technology…is worthwhile. This is a fine disc for those who want to explore a more intimate side of Bach. © 2014
Audiophile Audition
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Audiophile Audition · Lee Passarella · January 21, 2014
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Still, no one performance can encompass all the possibilities of this masterwork, and this is stronger than many.
American Record Guide · Kenneth Keaton · March 7, 2014
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El sonido también ayuda a que esta versión de Bach sea tan satisfactoria para el oyente: cálido y profundo, sin estridencias en los agudos (ayudado por la coherencia del tempo), la personalidad de la guitarra reluce y se expande, y el disco se puede escuchar una y otra vez sin notar cansancio auditivo.
Ritmo · Esther Martín · April 5, 2018
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Kerrankin luontevaa kitara-Bachia
”Johann Sebastian Bachin musiikin soittaminen kitaralla on vaikeaa. […] Eskelinen kuitenkin selvittää soittimelliset haasteet ja tavoittaa pakottomalla soitollaan musiikista sen ytimen, joka ei riipu soittimesta. […] Eskelinen antaa musiikin virrata eikä juutu virran yksittäisiin kuohuihin.
Virran varren kohokohtia ovat E-duuri-sarjan hilpeän rytmikäs Bourrée ja g-molli-sarjan lempeä Courante. Erityisen ansiokkaasti Eskelinen taituroi korukuviot, jotka muilla…
Yle Uudet levyt · Kare Eskola
Eskelinen soittaa Bachia sisäistyneesti
”Eskelisen sovitukset ovat sujuvia, ja hänen soittonsa on ihailtavan selkeää ja sisäistynyttä.
Varsinainen herkku on kuitenkin kokonaisuus, jossa Eskelisen sovitus koraalimelodiasta Christ lag in Todesbanden johtaa saumattomasti d-molli-viulupartitan Ciacconaan. Koraalisovituksessa Eskelinen nivoo taitavasti huiluäänimelodioita alimpien kielien säestykseen, Ciacconassa jännite kantaa alusta loppuun.”
Samuli
Helsingin Sanomat · Samuli Tiikkaja
Bach virtaa kuin puro
”Ismo Eskelisellä on luonteva suhde Bachin musiikkiin. […] Hän ei näpertele, vaan luo kokonaisuuksia. Kautta levyn soittoa leimaa selkeys ja kirkkaus. […] Äänitys tuo musiikin miellyttävä lähelle. Kitara ja Bach ovat tässä ja nyt.”
Harri
Aamulehti · Harri Hautala
”Bach on the modern guitar need no apology, and Eskelinen’s performance is a delight.”
Early Music Review · Stewart McCoy
”Eskelinen’s playing is bold and grand. He has a huge range of sound, both in dynamics and in timbre, though he never overplays. His rhythm is both rock solid and flexible where needed, and his ornamentation both inventive and tasteful. This is one of the finest Bach recitals I’ve heard in a while.”
KEATON Guide · American Record
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Suite in E major BWV 1006a [19:27]
Suite in A minor (orig. G minor) BWV 995 [25:10]
Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV 277 [1:59]
Ciaccona (from Partita for Solo Violin BWV 1004) [14:30]
All arrangements for guitar by Ismo Eskelinen
Ismo Eskelinen (guitar)
rec.
ARVOSTELU MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL SIVULLA
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