The Italian Concerto & The French Overture

We present the second volume of Lucy Carolan's recordings of Bach's keyboard music consisting of works from Volumes two, three and four of his "Clavierübung". Volume two contains the popular Italian Concerto and French Overture and concentrates on the number "two" - two pieces, two keys, two modes, two nations (Italy and France) and a two-manual harpsichord.

The Italian Concerto is unique: a wholly original solo keyboard work written as if "transcribed" from a string original to which Bach adds strikingly new ideas expressly suited for harpsichord. Bach had acquired his knowledge of Italian repertoire early on by transcribing Vivaldi violin concertos for solo harpsichord around 1712-13.

The contrasting French Overture contains lighter dances from the court of Louis XIV such as the gavotte, the passepied and bourrée - all are dance forms which had been familiar to Bach from his childhood. 

The record also includes duets from volume three and the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue which, although unpublished during Bach's lifetime, became an inspiration to subsequent generations of composers. 

1
1
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Italian Concerto
I. Allegro
 
04:03
1
2
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Italian Concerto
II. Andante
 
04:47
1
3
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Italian Concerto
III. Presto
 
03:54
1
4
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Chromatic Fantasia
 
05:48
1
5
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Chromatic Fugue
 
06:06
1
6
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Four Duets
no. 1 in E minor
 
02:40
1
7
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Four Duets
no. 2 in F major
 
03:18
1
8
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Four Duets
no. 3 in G major
 
03:38
1
9
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Four Duets
no. 4 in A minor
 
02:58
1
10
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French Overture
I. Ouverture
 
07:34
1
11
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French Overture
II. Courante
 
02:11
1
12
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French Overture
III. Gavotte I - Gavotte II - Gavotte I
 
04:16
1
13
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French Overture
IV. Passepied I - Passepied II - Passepied I
 
03:45
1
14
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French Overture
V. Sarabande
 
03:56
1
15
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French Overture
VI. Bourée I - Bourrée II - Bourée I
 
03:16
1
16
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French Overture
VII. Gigue
 
02:25
1
17
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French Overture
VIII. Echo
 
03:00