Bart Van Oort - J.C. Bach: Six Sonatas, Op. 17 '2023

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Sonata in G Major, Op. 17 No. 1: I. Allegro
02. Sonata in G Major, Op. 17 No. 1: II. Minuetto con variatione
03. Sonata in C Minor, Op. 17 No. 2: I. Allegretto
04. Sonata in C Minor, Op. 17 No. 2: II. Andante
05. Sonata in C Minor, Op. 17 No. 2: III. Prestissimo
06. Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 17 No. 3: I. Allegro assai
07. Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 17 No. 3: II. Allegro
08. Sonata in G Major, Op. 17 No. 4: I. Allegro
09. Sonata in G Major, Op. 17 No. 4: II. Presto assai
10. Sonata in A Major, Op. 17 No. 5: I. Allegro
11. Sonata in A Major, Op. 17 No. 5: II. Presto
12. Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 17 No. 6: I. Allegro
13. Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 17 No. 6: II. Andante
14. Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 17 No. 6: III. Prestissimo



The genius of Johann Sebastian Bach often overshadows the achievements of his
four prodigiously talented sons, all of whom played a crucial role in further
advancing music’s development during the 18th century. Johann Christian,
the youngest, was indeed among the most pivotal composers of his day, his move
to Italy in 1755 precipitating a noticeable change in style that, known as the
galant, looked forward to the soon-to-emerge Classical period.

J.C. Bach was the first to champion the fortepiano in concert, and by the time
he came to write his Six Sonatas Op.17 – the subject of this engaging
release – the instrument was well on its way to dominance. Following on
from the Six Sonatas Op.5 (94634), the works reveal the composer’s
multifaceted skills, displaying the widest possible range of compositional
manners and characters – from the symphonic and declamatory opening
Allegro of Sonata No.1 in G to the epic scope of No.6 in C minor (which conforms
to the pathos and sadness associated with its key). One of J.C. Bach’s
many admirers was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and it is highly likely that these
works were among those played to the young prodigy when he visited London in the
1760s, where the German composer was then living. They comprise a set truly
befitting of a composer who would later became music master to the English royal
family, revealing how, in the realm of keyboard virtuosity, J.C. Bach was every
bit his father’s son.

Given J.C. Bach’s influence on Mozart, it should come as little surprise
that the sonatas of Op.17 are almost stylistically interchangeable with those of
the Salzburg genius – anyone who delights in the latter’s keyboard
sonatas is sure to be won over by these charming works. At hand to perform is
one of today’s leading fortepianists, Dutch keyboardist Bart van Oort,
whose consummate performances give voice to a composer who played an
instrumental role in bringing the fortepiano to public attention.

Related artists