Bach: English Suites / Genzo Takehisa
It is said that around 1730, J.S. Bach repeatedly tested the early “fortepianos” (pianos) being developed by Gottfried Silbermann, offering feedback on areas for improvement—such as the insufficient volume in the upper register and the excessive weight of the keys. Silbermann eventually addressed these issues, and Bach, recognizing the instrument’s merit, even served as a sales agent for them in Leipzig, successfully selling several units. That said, an inventory of Bach’s estate confirms that he did not personally own a “fortepiano”. On this CD, Genzo Takehisa performs the first three of the English Suites on the harpsichord, and the latter three on a Silbermann-style “fortepiano”. Given the historical context, it is highly probable that the English Suites were indeed performed on such an instrument; thus, this approach is entirely valid from the perspective of historical performance practice. Furthermore, a receipt remains for a Silbermann fortepiano that Bach is said to have sold to a Polish count, Jan Casimir von Branitzky; the document lists the price as “115 thalers”. Given that a two-manual harpsichord cost between 80 and 100 thalers at the time, one cannot help but wonder what kind of commission Bach might have earned on such a sale. There is also a theory that the 15 fortepianos delivered to the palace of “Friedrich der Große” were supplied through Bach’s mediation, though no definitive evidence exists to support this. #baroque #bach #englishsuites #fortepiano #genzotakehisa #片山俊幸
Also, check out this YouTube video of Takehisa playing the “Partitas”! Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC9PyTIzWQs&list=PLGM1kFYMXxdQIlYFbD8OcVvG9hkEh7WnF&index=1
