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18 JS. BACH_SIX SONATAS FOR VIOLINAND PIANO BWV1014-1019

Isn’t it intimidating to play such music, which is sometimes said to be so

complex?

N.D.:

Bach’smusic? Complex? I’venever thought so.As aviolinist, I can tell youabout

the real and considerable complexity of Bartók’s First Sonata for violin and piano,

Schoenberg’s

Pierrot Lunaire

and his

Phantasy

for violin with piano accompaniment,

or Enesco’s Octet . . .

Do you perceive any differences in Bach’s keyboard style when he’s

composing for a solo instrument or writing chamber music?

J.P.:

There are no fundamental differences. Nevertheless, some movements clearly

aim at orchestral effects in the harpsichord part, such as the

lamento

opening of

the First Sonata or the first movement of the Third. In these movements, I would

describe the keyboard writing as ‘avant-garde’ and I imagine it must raise a lot of

questions for a harpsichordist.