Homage to Bach Brodsky Quartet

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet):
• 1Bach: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): I. Adagio04:27
• 2Bach: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): II. Fuga05:02
• 3Bach: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): III. Siciliana03:12
• 4Bach: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): IV. Finale04:07
• Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet):
• 5Bach: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): I. Grave04:43
• 6Bach: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): II. Fuga06:39
• 7Bach: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): III. Andante05:29
• 8Bach: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003 (Arr. P. Cassidy for String Quartet): IV. Finale05:58
• Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005 (Arr. P Cassidy for String Quartet):
• 9Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005 (Arr. P Cassidy for String Quartet): I. Adagio04:09
• 10Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005 (Arr. P Cassidy for String Quartet): II. Fuga09:09
• 11Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005 (Arr. P Cassidy for String Quartet): III. Largo03:50
• 12Bach: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005 (Arr. P Cassidy for String Quartet): IV. Finale05:56
• Total Runtime01:02:41

Info for Homage to Bach

The set of six sonatas and partitas for solo violin is widely regarded as one of the summits of Bach’s output as a composer, and of the entire repertoire for the violin. With this new album the Brodsky Quartet give us the opportunity to hear some of this legendary music in an entirely new way, in these world-première recordings of Paul Cassidy’s arrangements for string quartet of the three solo sonatas. Writing about this project, Paul notes: ‘My daily practice invariably involves spending some time with Bach’s ‘Six Solos for Violin without Bass Accompaniment’ (Sei Solo â Violino senza Basso accompagnato). I am a devout being and these are my bible. As in the case of all ‘holy’ books, the six ‘solos’ open themselves to an infinite variety of interpretations, but whatever your approach, these miraculous pieces are endlessly cleansing and enriching for the body and soul, a balm for the spirit. Their challenging pages abound with multi-faceted characters whose succinct purity is a wonder to behold. They can move imperceptibly from being uplifting and euphoric one minute to heart-breaking and tragic the next.’

Brodsky Quartet

Brodsky Quartet Since its formation in 1972, the Brodsky Quartet has performed over 3000 concerts on the major stages of the world and has released more than 60 recordings. A natural curiosity and an insatiable desire to explore has propelled the group in a number of artistic directions and continues to ensure them not only a prominent presence on the international chamber music scene, but also a rich and varied musical existence. Their energy and craftsmanship has attracted numerous awards and accolades worldwide, while ongoing educational work provides a vehicle for passing on experience and staying in touch with the next generation.

Throughout their 40-year career, the Brodsky Quartet has performed at many of the UK's major festivals and venues, and is regularly recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio. The Quartet also has a busy international performing schedule, and has toured extensively throughout Australasia, North and South America, South Africa, and Europe. Over the years the Brodsky Quartet has, on numerous occasions, performed complete cycles of the quartets of Schubert, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Britten, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky, Webern and Bartok. They are perhaps best known, however, for their performances of the Shostakovich Quartets and therefore chose 2012, the year of their 40th anniversary, to revisit the repertoire and perform the cycle worldwide.

The Brodsky Quartet also has a busy recording career, and last season marked the beginning of a new and exclusive relationship with Chandos Records. The Quartet's first disc for the label, Petits Fours, was released in February 2012 and is a celebratory album of ‘Encore’ pieces, arranged exclusively by the Quartet for their 40th anniversary. In April 2012, Chandos released the Quartet's long-awaited recording of the great Debussy Quartet alongside Deux Danses arranged for harp and string quintet. This new collaboration with Chandos will help add to their already huge and diverse discography. Recent awards for recordings include the Diapason D'Or and the CHOC du Monde de la Musique for their recordings of string quartets by Britten, Beethoven and Janacek, and, for their outstanding contribution to innovation in programming, the Brodsky Quartet has received a Royal Philharmonic Society Award. They have taught at many international chamber music courses and held residencies in several music institutes, including the first such post at the University of Cambridge. They are currently International Fellows of Chamber Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and have been awarded Honorary Doctorates at the University of Kent and University of Teesside.

Booklet for Homage to Bach