"Bach in France, Couperin in Germany" Ensemble PHOENIX on period instruments offers some interesting thoughts on Bach and Couperin's chamber music

 

Bach in France, Couperin in Germany? Did I hear correctly? What we do know is that J.S.Bach never left the region of his birth in Germany and that Couperin certainly never travelled to Germany. In the series currently being performed by Ensemble PHOENIX, founder and director Myrna Herzog is "throwing down the gauntlet" to her listeners in this rather unique program. 

 

A hint: "L'Impériale", the third suite (ordre) of François Couperin's "Les Nations", makes reference to the Holy Roman Empire of the German People, which formally lasted until 1806. However, you might just find this music distinctly French and conservative in style. The dances themselves are Couperin's most beautifully turned in the old style - discreet and flowing, but with a wealth of expressive detail. And be prepared to hear one of the most sublime fugues in musical repertoire! Myrna Herzog feels this movement might well be Couperin paying homage to J.S.Bach.

 

As to J.S.Bach's Ouverture in the French Style BWV 831, is this keyboard work based on a lost version for ensemble? Musicologist Dr. Alon Schab makes this argument credible. He has arranged it for two violins, viola, viola da gamba and harpsichord. The result is astounding in its rich weave and voice play. In the obituary for his father, C.P.E. Bach writes: “While a student in Lüneburg, my father had the opportunity to listen to a band kept by the Duke of Celle, consisting for the most part of Frenchmen; thus, he acquired a thorough grounding in the French taste, which in those regions was something quite new...” C.P.E. Bach also writes that among the music studied and loved by his father, there were works by “several good Frenchmen.”  Bach’s interest in the forms of French music is especially evident in his harpsichord suites, BWV 806-817, and Ouvertures BWV 820 (assuming its authenticity), 822 and 831.

 

Not to be missed.

 

Performed by a line-up of fine artists: Lilia Slavny, Noam Schuss– Baroque violin

Miriam Fingert – Baroque viola   Marina Minkin – harpsichord

Myrna Herzog - bass viol, musical direction

Wednesday 03.05.23  at 20:00
Tel Aviv, Studio Annette, the Felicja Blumental Music Center
Shvil HaMeretz 2

Saturday 06.05.23 at 11:00 am
Jerusalem, the Eden-Tamir Center, Ein Karem
https://eventbuzz.co.il/lp/event/f1fjk

Monday 08.05.23 at 20:00
Ra'anana, The Chamber lounge, Ra'anana Pais Music Center, 48 Etzyon St,
https://ticks.co.il/event.php?i=tR1uixJlr61

 

Noam Schuss,Lilia Slavny,Marina Minkin,Myrna Herzog,Miriam Fingert (Eliahu Feldman)