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Suites BWV 1007 - 1012
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Suites BWV 1007 - 1012

Label Challenge Classics

Artists Raaf Hekkema

€23,99 EUR
Tax included.

The path to this recording was long, windy and fascinating. It started with the awareness that the cello suites provide exceptional playing material for saxophonists. But I long felt that for playing Bach on the saxophone, only the light-sounding soprano saxophone would do—which was, I believed, incompatible with the instrument for which the suites were written.

During preparations for my previous DSD recording of Bach’s partitas for violin (Challenge Classics, CC 72648), I discovered that the alto sax—fitted with an old-style mouthpiece—could reproduce the refined articulation of the violin. Vintage mouthpieces represent the sound ideal of days gone by, before the saxophone was regarded as a ‘jazz instrument’. Then came the idea to play the suites on six different saxophones, each of which holds a unique place in the history of the instrument. 

Tracklist

Total time: 02:07:11

1. Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Prelude
02:24
2. Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Allemande
04:17
3. Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Courante
02:30
4. Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Sarabande
02:27
5. Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Menuett I & II
02:58
6. Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 - Gigue
01:49
7. Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - Prelude
04:03
8. Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - Allemande
03:44
9. Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - Courante
02:08
10. Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - Sarabande
04:25
11. Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - Menuett I & II
02:29
12. Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - Gigue
02:44
13. Cello Suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 - Prelude
02:57
14. Cello Suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 - Allemande
03:35
15. Cello Suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 - Courante
03:24
16. Cello Suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 - Sarabande
04:10
17. Cello Suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 - Bourree I & II
02:56
18. Cello Suite No.3 in C major, BWV 1009 - Gigue
03:04
19. Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 - Prelude
03:40
20. Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 - Allemande
03:34
21. Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 - Courante
03:30
22. Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 - Sarabande
04:32
23. Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 - Bourree I & Bourree II
04:42
24. Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat major, BWV 1010 - Gigue
02:41
25. Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - Prelude
05:18
26. Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - Allemande
04:29
27. Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - Courante
02:05
28. Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - Sarabande
03:45
29. Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - Gavotte I & II
04:01
30. Cello Suite No.5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - Gigue
02:07
31. Cello Suite No.6 in D major, BWV 1012 - Prelude
03:59
32. Cello Suite No.6 in D major, BWV 1012 - Allemande
07:25
33. Cello Suite No.6 in D major, BWV 1012 - Courante
03:42
34. Cello Suite No.6 in D major, BWV 1012 - Sarabande
04:07
35. Cello Suite No.6 in D major, BWV 1012 - Gavotte I & II
03:42
36. Cello Suite No.6 in D major, BWV 1012 - Gigue
03:48

Previews are short MP3 excerpts. Your download is in the quality and channels you choose.

Additional Information

Label
Challenge Classics
SKU
CC72769
Qualities
DSD 64, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz
Channels
5ch Surround, 2ch Stereo, 2ch Stereo & 5ch Surround
Artists
Raaf Hekkema
Composers
Bach
Genres
Classical
Original Recording Format
DSD 64
Instruments
Alto Saxophone, Saxophone, Soprano saxophone
Release Date
January 12, 2018

Reviews

Positive Feedback

Rushton Paul

Who would have thought it? The Bach Solo Suites on saxophone? I was skeptical. But, I've learned to listen to any album Bert offers because I've come to value his tastes and good musical sense. And this recording by Raaf Hekkema is a totally enjoyable experience. It helps the Hekkema is a total master of the saxophone, a co-founder of the Calefax Reed Quintet (since 1985), gives hundreds of concerts a year, and teaches at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague where he is head of the classical saxophone department.

Again, beautifully recorded by Bert van der Wolf! And if you think you might like some additional Bach arranged for saxophone that is also beautifully recorded, look into Hakkeman's recording of the Bach Partitas and other solo works.

Source: positive-feedback.com

Audio Advies & Tekst

Bert Oling

Yes, fans this is another musical highlight. An album of saxophone performances of the 6 Cello Suites of Bach, played by our patriotic Raaf Hekkema. Very nicely recorded by Bert van der Wolf.

The 6 different saxophones on this album, each with their own character, are masterfully played by Raaf Hekkema. What (micro) dynamics, what phrasing! I have listened to the DSD download of this album from NativeDSD in detail this afternoon. It's yoga for the ears. Exciting, swinging and compelling.
Suites BWV 1007 - 1012

Suites BWV 1007 - 1012

€23,99 EUR

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