Isabelle Faust and Kristian Bezuidenhout: Bach Sonatasat Snape Maltings

Sheer 18th-century elegance: Bach’s intricate and absorbing sonatas for violin and harpsichord performed by a thrilling duo.

Bach’s set of six sonatas was written in the 1720s at an intriguing time for chamber music. Prior to this date, keyboard accompaniments had often been an improvisatory affair, built up by the player from a given bass line. In these sonatas, however, Bach writes out the keyboard part in full, establishing much more of a conversation between the two instruments, and demonstrating his mastery of interweaving musical lines. Displays of dazzling counterpoint alternate with movements of grave beauty.

Isabelle Faust and Kristian Bezuidenhout’s partnership is perfect for this repertoire. A recent review pointed out the creative contrast between their playing styles, describing “Bezuidenhout’s exuberance weaving itself into the luminous intensity of Faust’s sound”.