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Track Listings
| 1. Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor BWV 1052: Allegro |
| 2. Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor BWV 1052: Adagio |
| 3. Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor BWV 1052: Allegro |
| 4. Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor BWV 1052: Prelude No. 1 from 'The Well - Tempered Clavier Book 1' BWV846 transcribed to A major |
| 5. Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major BWV1042: Allegro |
| 6. Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major BWV1042: Adagio |
| 7. Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major BWV1042: Allegro assai |
| 8. Violin Sonata in G minor BWV1001: Adagio |
| 9. Violin Sonata in G minor BWV1001: Fugue |
| 10. Violin Sonata in G minor BWV1001: Siciliano |
| 11. Violin Sonata in G minor BWV1001: Presto |
| 12. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor BWV104: Allegro Moderato |
| 13. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor BWV104: Andante |
| 14. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor BWV104: Allegro assai |
| 15. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor BWV104: 'Air on a G string' from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major BWV1068 |
Product Description
CD Description
The Beijing-born guitarist Xuefei Yang has recorded her first album of baroque music, an all-Bach programme anchored by three concertos newly arranged for guitar and string quartet. Bach Concertos is an exciting, innovative album in which she has transcribed for the guitar some of Bach’s familiar violin concertos and other works, hoping to establish these new arrangements as noteworthy repertoire for the guitar and to expand the concerto repertoire for that instrument. Xuefei complements the concertante repertoire with solo guitar arrangements of the Violin Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001, the Prelude in C Major from the Well-Tempered Clavier BWV 846 and the Air on a G string from the Orchestral Suite in D major BWV 1068.
Product Description
CD Xuefei Yang
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Prof Zebedee
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The guitarist Xuefei Yang attended London's illustrious Royal Academy of Music for her post graduate studies. During that period she was the winner of the Ivor Mairants Guitar Award, administered by the Worshipful Company of Musicians (one of the City of London's important guilds). She has an impeccable technique and superb musicianship. This is her fourth major label release with EMI and is simply stunning.
Running at over 77 minutes duration, the helpful sequencing of the tracks is much like a live concert performance, with solo pieces puctuating the ensemble works. Joined by the Elias String Quartet for three concertos, the programme is very satisfying. The solo recordings were made in Suffolk, and the concertos undertaken at Liverpool Philharmonic's recently refurbished rehearsal and performance space The Friary in West Everton - recipient of many favourable comments on its fine acoustics and atmosphere.
The three concertos were all transcribed by Xuefei Yang and she has done a top job. The disc opens with Concerto in D minor (BWV 1052) taken from the harpsichord version. Another transcription of this for the Naxos label was recorded by Gerald Garcia with the Camerata Cassovia some 20 years ago. Fei has shaved around a minute off each of the first two movements and stretched out the third movement by about half a minute. Comparing the two I would say Fei's new recording for EMI has the edge for me, with its strong dynamics and crisp equalisation. Her Greg Smallman guitar really works well in this ensemble setting. I didn't have other recordings of the other main pieces, but loved them straight away.
My personal highlight on first listening was the Presto fourth movement within the Sonata in G minor (BWV 1001 transcribed in A minor). Wow, this certainly is presto, but always with feeling and never robotic. Bravo!
Running at over 77 minutes duration, the helpful sequencing of the tracks is much like a live concert performance, with solo pieces puctuating the ensemble works. Joined by the Elias String Quartet for three concertos, the programme is very satisfying. The solo recordings were made in Suffolk, and the concertos undertaken at Liverpool Philharmonic's recently refurbished rehearsal and performance space The Friary in West Everton - recipient of many favourable comments on its fine acoustics and atmosphere.
The three concertos were all transcribed by Xuefei Yang and she has done a top job. The disc opens with Concerto in D minor (BWV 1052) taken from the harpsichord version. Another transcription of this for the Naxos label was recorded by Gerald Garcia with the Camerata Cassovia some 20 years ago. Fei has shaved around a minute off each of the first two movements and stretched out the third movement by about half a minute. Comparing the two I would say Fei's new recording for EMI has the edge for me, with its strong dynamics and crisp equalisation. Her Greg Smallman guitar really works well in this ensemble setting. I didn't have other recordings of the other main pieces, but loved them straight away.
My personal highlight on first listening was the Presto fourth movement within the Sonata in G minor (BWV 1001 transcribed in A minor). Wow, this certainly is presto, but always with feeling and never robotic. Bravo!
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By John Hall
Format:Audio CD
Well my copy arrived today courtesy of Amazon, if I was a musicologist with a knowledge of Bach's works I could give a more scholarly 'review' but ... Fei and her constant but unobtrusive companions 'The Elias String Quartet' start with a transcription of the d minor harpsichord concerto. The immediate feel is of a live recording with an authentic Baroque sound with the added bonus in that the guitar can diminuendo and crescendo which I think I'm right in saying the harpsichord of Bach's time couldn't, the guitar and harpsichord do sound similiar in respect of their lack of sustain, which of course makes this an ideal suite for transcription, and it is. The recording is refreshingly dry, clear and crisp, yes just like a cold glass of white wine, except, no hangover. There has been some very hard work gone into these transcriptions, I don't know when Fei has found the time with her schedule but not only in the writing but these are big pieces for anyone, nearly 24 minutes for the d minor suite, that is heavyweight by anyone's standards. The Adagio is dramatic and intimate, the third movement the band has a 'jolly up' as Julian Bream might say, with some very nice bass playing on the guitar mixing in some stacattico notes in the bass to drive it along. The quartet have left just enough room for the guitar to shine at the cadences and the playing will come a surprise to listeners not used to the virtuosic capabilities of great guitar players. This isn't music just for guitarists but for all lovers of great music.Best thing I've bought ... ever? Maybe. So thank you very much Ms. Fei Yang.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This has to be one of the most important contributions to recorded guitar music in years. Xuefei's stunning technique and brilliant arrangements of Bach's keyboard, lute and violin works are simply breathtaking.What a clever idea to team the Elias string quartet with her solo guitar for the Concertos -creating a dynamic yet even balance.Even Glenn Gould will be smiling down for these lovely interpretations.Wonderful playing all round but for technical virtuosity-Xuefei's lightning execution of the Presto of the G minor Sonata.Phew-Smokin'!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
Played with great clarity and sensitivity. I really enjoyed the whole album. These are less well known than most of the guitar repertoire - it's nice to hear something different.
Published 8 days ago by Roger
3.0 out of 5 stars
hmmm
Starts off well but fades to a tad boring. I am learning classical guitar at the moment but I'm by no means a classical anorak buff, all I can say is I've listened to the CD in... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Vin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bathtime Bach
I found this oddly disappointing.
The adaptations to guitar of many of Bach's more celebrated chamber works is rather dull and curiously uninspiring. Read more
The adaptations to guitar of many of Bach's more celebrated chamber works is rather dull and curiously uninspiring. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Claudia Saatchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ace!
I saw Fei and the Elias String quartet at Chester, and was bowled over by the whole musical performance, so it was inevitable I bought the CD, which is ace. Read more
Published 7 months ago by colinr
2.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing
I bought this cd having heard one track from it played on Classic FM.
The music content consists of three pieces for solo guitar alternating
with three concertos for... Read more
The music content consists of three pieces for solo guitar alternating
with three concertos for... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Joe Soap
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well, nice
If you like Bach's songs and small bands and guitar, this is nice. By "nice" I mean, I suppose, something like "breathtakingly lovely," "brillant," along those lines. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jim Kornell
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