Alexander Korneyev, Alexander Bakhchiev - Bach: Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord (2014)

Firma Melodiya presents recordings by Alexander Korneyev, an outstanding flutist, People's Artist of the RSFSR and laureate of the State Prize of Russia. The musician's concert repertoire was extraordinary extensive, from early baroque to contemporary composers. He made dozens of recordings released on vinyl and CD. This album features one of the gems performed by Korneyev, a peak of baroque flute – six sonatas for flute and harpsichord, and the partita for solo flute by J.S. Bach.

A world known soloist, Korneyev won the recognition primarily as a concert musician. He performed with well-known musicians such as Lev Oborin, Ivan Kozlovsky, Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Mstislav Rostropovich and the Beethoven Quartet. A soloist of the Big Symphony Orchestra of All-Union Radio for many years, he played under the leadership of some of the most prominent maestros and at times performed as a symphony and chamber conductor himself. Also, he realized performing versions of a number of flute compositions.

Most evidently, Bach composed his flute works along with other chamber opuses in Kothen during 1717 to 1723. At the time, the composer focused on solo and ensemble instrumental music. Arguably, two of the six sonatas (BWV 1031, 1033) were penned by his son Carl Philipp Emanuel who later served at the court of Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia, a big lover of the flute.

The part of harpsichord was performed by a remarkable ensemble musician, People's Artist of Russia, Alexander Bakhchiev. The recordings were made in 1971 and 1974.

Tracklist:

CD 1:
Sonata for flute and harpsichord in B minor, BWV 1030
01. I. Andante 07:54
02. II. Largo e dolce 04:50
03. III. Presto - Allegro 06:19

Sonata for flute and harpsichord in E-flat major, BWV 1031
04. I. Allegro moderato 03:48
05. II. Siciliano 03:23
06. III. Allegro 05:04

Sonata for flute and harpsichord in A major, BWV 1032
07. I. Largo edolce 04:21
08. II. Allegro 04:39

Partita for solo flute in A minor, BWV 1013
09. I. Allemande 03:21
10. II. Corrente 02:41
11. III. Sarabande 04:06
12. IV. Bouree Anglaise 01:43

CD 2:
Sonata for flute and harpsichord in C major, BWV 1033
01. I. Andante - Presto 01:57
02. II. Allegro 02:40
03. III. Adagio 02:46
04. IV. Menuetto I 0:54
05. V. Menuetto II - Menuetto I da capo 02:44

Sonata for flute and harpsichord in E minor, BWV 1034
06. I. Adagio ma non tanto 04:05
07. II. Allegro 02:47
08. III. Andante 05:23
09. IV. Allegro 05:07

Sonata for flute and harpsichord in E major, BWV 1035
10. I. Adagio ma non tanto 03:29
11. II. Allegro 03:15
12. III. Siciliano 04:47
13. IV. Allegro assai 03:13

Musicians:
Alexander Korneyev - flute
Alexander Bakhichev - harpsichord

John Sebastian Bach - composer