In review--Flurry of notes
Andrea Oliva
Bach Flute Sonatas
Hyperion Records
I feel pleased to start out a new year with the
enchanting Bach Flute Sonatas
performed by pianist Angela Hewitt and flutist Andrea Oliva. Out of all the Bach recordings I have heard,
I don’t recall hearing tranverse flute (at least not in a sonata setting), but
I have heard plenty of recorders.
Towards the end of Bach’s life, the tranverse flute replaced recorders,
even though recorders of various types still exist in our time. As always, questions revolve around the
compositions, whether or not Bach co-composed them or if they were written for
transverse flute or oboe as in the case with the Sonata in G minor, which might Bach might have co-composed with his
son C P E Bach. Whatever the history is
behind the flute sonatas, Oliva and Hewitt breathe a fresh of new air into
them. The original musicians would have
played the sonatas on piano and a baroque era flute anyway.
The recording opens with Sonata in E flat major which opens at a medium tempo with piano
trills and then the flute dances around the piano, ending up in a delightful
musical conversation. A mirthful feeling
radiates and I can’t imagine anyone feeling sad around this piece. Even the slower movements with the 6 sonatas
uplift and in some instances, relax the mind.
Personally, I have played this music in the background while performing
work that takes a great deal of focus and concentration. I have also listened to this recording before
falling asleep and I have slept better than I have in weeks.
The Siciliano movement of Sonata in E flat major is a piece that would send anyone into a
place of sweet dreams. It is followed by
the Allegro movement which shows off dexterity of both musicians. The Adagio ma non tanto of Sonata in E minor
feels melancholic, but the beauty of the instruments balances out the mood, and
the high notes of the flute could help in releasing any stuck emotions. The Allegro gives the flutist plenty of room
to show off glittering passages, which we know as listeners took plenty of
rehearsals to finesse even if the musician sails through the tangle of
notes. Similar to Mozart, Bach enjoyed
composing music for virtuoso players up for the challenge of his architectural
wonders.
Sonata in G minor,
Sonata in C major, Sonata in E Major and Sonata in B minor for flute round
out the recording. The entire CD runs 78
minutes and while you could play it the background, it’s best to listen to the
sonatas through headphones and drink in the beauty of each note as it lingers,
especially with the slower movements. I
recommend listening to this music with breakfast or during a time when you feel
like slowing down. Looking for
enchanting baroque music? This is it.
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