J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas, Vol. 1

Album Description

A real showstopper! After several visits to the Concertos pour violon (with the English Chamber Orchestra and Jeffrey Tate in 1989, and then with the Berliner Barock Solisten for the haenssler label in 2017) and Sonates pour violon et clavecin (Sony Classical, with Enrico Pace), Frank Peter Zimmermann immersed himself into the great masterpiece that is Bach’s six Sonates et Partitas pour violon seul. This first volume features the second Sonata (in minor key, BWV 1003) and the last two Partitas, BWV 1004, which includes the awe-inspiring Chaconne and the BWV 1006.

While Leonidas Kavakos released his interpretation at a similar time (Sony Classical), Frank Peter Zimmermann offered a radically unique take. Being more knowledgeable on the interpretation practices brought about by the Baroque scene over the past forty years, Zimmermann stood out for the attention he placed on dance rhythms, including contrasting tempos as well as phrasing and breathing that mimic the human voice. So, have these pieces become purely instrumental cantatas? You could say that. There have certainly been many musicologists or performers that were delighted to spot the hidden choral used by Cantor as a basis for their interpretation of Chaconne’s twisted polyphonies. In this Chaconne, Frank Peter Zimmermann ensures his remarkable fluidity can never be put into question.

What’s unnerving throughout Zimmermann’s first volume is his absolute rejection of emotion. Johann Sebastian Bach’s contrapuntal constructions take no heed of this. Only an authentic, raw voice can shine through and glorify God, a medium that should be free from all impurities. The true beauty of Zimmerman’s interpretation lies in the eloquent voice of the instruments. It’s a rare treat to hear a violin played at this level of accuracy and precision. Here lies a warm embrace for the ears... an embrace you simply can’t help but fall into. © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz