Johann Sebastian Bach: Harpsichord Concertos Vol. 2 Mario Sarrechia, Hsiu-Tzu Ryan, La Petite Bande & Sigiswald Kuijken

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052:
• 1 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052: I. Allegro 07:50
• 2 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052: II. Adagio 06:41
• 3 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052: III. Allegro 08:15
• Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056:
• 4 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056: I. Allegro moderato 03:20
• 5 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo 02:35
• 6 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056: III. Presto 04:08
• Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042:
• 7 Bach: Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042: I. Allegro 08:08
• 8 Bach: Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042: II. Adagio 06:08
• 9 Bach: Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042: III. Allegro assai 03:08
• Harpsichord Concerto in G Minor, BWV 1058:
• 10 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in G Minor, BWV 1058: I. Allegro 03:53
• 11 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in G Minor, BWV 1058: II. Andante 06:20
• 12 Bach: Harpsichord Concerto in G Minor, BWV 1058: III. Allegro assai 03:59
• Total Runtime 01:04:25

Info for Johann Sebastian Bach: Harpsichord Concertos Vol. 2

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote six harpsichord concertos and compiled them in a volume around 1738. Most of his concertos for one or more harpsichords are probably arrangements of earlier concertos, mostly by Bach himself. The ‘grand seigneur of early music’ Sigiswald Kuijken combines Bach’s six harpsichord concertos and the three double concertos for two harpsichords with the two violin concertos and the double concerto for two violins, which Bach also arranged as harpsichord concertos. All twelve concertos appear in a series of three CDs, the second of which is now available. Belgian harpsichordist Mario Sarrechia plays the solo part in the two concertos BWV 1052 & 1058, Taiwanese harpsichordist Hsiu-Tzu Ryanas in the concerto BWV 1056, and Sigiswald Kuijken himself takes the solo in the violin concerto BWV 1042. Sigiswald Kuijken casts all the orchestral parts as soloists, as is customary with La Petite Bande and as was probably also practised by Bach – a theory that Kuijken underpins with ample evidence.

Mario Sarrechia, harpsichord
Hsiu-Tzu Ryan, harpsichord
Sigiswald Kuijken, violin, conductor
La Petite Bande

La Petite Bande
(Belgium) was founded in 1972 by Sigiswald Kuijken at the request of the record company Harmonia Mundi (Germany) in order to record Lully's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, under the direction of Gustav Leonhardt. The orchestra takes its name and constitution from Lully's own orchestra at the court of Louis XIV. All its members are internationally renowned specialists in the early music field.

Although originally La Petite Bande was not meant to become a permanent orchestra, the success of the recordings was such that they began to give concerts regularly. Having initially concentrated mainly on French music, the orchestra's repertoire has expanded over the years to include music by the Italian masters and that of Bach, Handel, Gluck, Haydn, Mozart and others.

The 18-part CD series 'Cantatas of J.S. Bach' (ACCENT) is complete since February 2014. Sigiswald Kuijken applies the latest findings in Bach research: no choir, but rather a vocal quartet together with a minimal instrumental scoring. In this way, the fine musical texture of these cantatas can be much better (and more naturally) revealed.

La Petite Bande has recorded instrumental as well as vocal music, including operas and oratorios from the Baroque and Classical periods. La Petite Bande currently makes recordings for Accent, Challenge, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Denon, Seon/Virgin and Hyperion.

La Petite Bande has performed in a multitude of international festivals and concert series, in Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and China.

From 1997 to 2018, La Petite Bande was resident in the city of Leuven.

Mario Sarrechia
Amsterdam-based Belgian harpsichordist Mario Sarrechia (1988) is an acclaimed soloist and continuo player known for his work with prestigious ensembles, including the world-renowned baroque orchestra La Petite Bande under Sigiswald Kuijken. Sarrechia has performed internationally, bringing baroque and renaissance music to audiences worldwide.

With great enthusiasm, I present Mario Sarrechia, a distinguished Belgian harpsichordist whose exceptional talent and passion for baroque music have earned him international acclaim.

Following extensive touring with the world-renowned baroque orchestra La Petite Bande, where he performed as a continuo player and soloist across Europe and Japan.

A graduate with high honors from the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp and the Conservatorium of Amsterdam, Mario refined his artistry under esteemed mentors such as Ewald Demeyere, Bob van Asperen, and Richard Egarr, and through masterclasses with legends like Gustav Leonhardt, Sigiswald Kuijken, and Christophe Rousset.

Mario has toured extensively as a continuo player and soloist with the world-renowned baroque orchestra La Petite Bande, performing across Europe and Japan. His work with leading ensembles, including The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century and Orkester Nord, highlights his versatility and expertise. He has collaborated with acclaimed musicians such as Ann Hallenberg, Enrico Onofri, and François Fernandez, further cementing his reputation as a sought-after performer.

His discography features several acclaimed recordings for labels like ACCENT, Aparté and Et’cetera. This includes a celebrated album of Bach’s harpsichord concertos with La Petite Bande. As a soloist, Mario's debut album, Ruckers me fecit Antverpiae (2021), showcases his deep connection to historical instruments and repertoire, exploring the rich legacy of these famous harpsichord builders in his native Antwerp.

Alongside his performances, Mario is a dedicated scholar and educator of the next generation of musicians. He has presented research on keyboard intabulations of French chansons at prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge and Museum Vleeshuis in Antwerp. He also teaches music theory and history at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen and the University of Applied Sciences Leiden.

We invite you to consider featuring Mario Sarrechia for a concert, lecture, or collaboration that promises to captivate and inspire audiences with a unique mix of extraordinary musical skill and a profound understanding of historical music.

He has collaborated with acclaimed musicians such as Ann Hallenberg, Enrico Onofri, and François Fernandez, further cementing his reputation as a sought-after performer.

Booklet for Johann Sebastian Bach: Harpsichord Concertos Vol. 2