Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonate e partite per il flauto traversiere (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Johann Sebastian Bach never intended to compose flute sonatas or partitas in sets of 6 or 12, as was customary at the time (and as he himself did for violin, cello and harpsichord). Bach’s flute sonatas evolved over a roughly 30-year period between ca. 1717–1747 as he encountered the different types of flute in fashion at the time, and met several greatly skilled flautists. The question of which flautist and flute makers Bach may have known played a decisive role in choosing the programme on this recording. In preparation, Frank Theuns compared and assessed the playing qualities of various early eighteenth-century flute types. Eventually, he decided on a copy of a flute made by Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin. The balanced, brilliant, Italianate sound of this instrument was a perfect match for the demands of this repertoire. As well as being an unequalled flautist and an accomplished composer, Buffardin was also a renowned flute maker whom Bach may have met in Dresden in 1717.

Tracklist:
01. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Basso Continuo in E Minor, BWV 1034: I. Adagio ma non tanto (03:18)
02. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Basso Continuo in E Minor, BWV 1034: II. Allegro (02:51)
03. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Basso Continuo in E Minor, BWV 1034: III. Andante (03:29)
04. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Basso Continuo in E Minor, BWV 1034: IV. Allegro (04:55)
05. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Partita for Traverso in A Minor, BWV 1013: I. Allemanda (05:13)
06. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Partita for Traverso in A Minor, BWV 1013: II. Corrente (03:21)
07. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Partita for Traverso in A Minor, BWV 1013: III. Sarabanda (03:13)
08. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Partita for Traverso in A Minor, BWV 1013: IV. Bourrée anglaise (01:59)
09. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Major, BWV 1027/1039: I. Adagio (03:55)
10. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Major, BWV 1027/1039: II. Allegro ma non tanto (03:37)
11. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Major, BWV 1027/1039: III. Andante (02:19)
12. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Major, BWV 1027/1039: IV. Allegro moderato (03:12)
13. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: I. Allemande (Arr. for Traverso) (02:51)
14. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Minor, BWV 1030b: I. [Andante] (08:30)
15. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Minor, BWV 1030b: II. Siciliano (03:58)
16. Frank Theuns & Bertrand Cuiller – Bach: Sonata for Traverso and Obbligato Harpsichord in G Minor, BWV 1030b: III. Presto (06:12)