J. S. Bach: Concertos for Three and Four Harpsichords Cochard, Cuiller, Fortin, Gallon, Ho, Le Caravansérail & Bertrand Cuiller

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in C Major, BWV 1064:
• 1 Bach: Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in C Major, BWV 1064: I. [...] 06:06
• 2 Bach: Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in C Major, BWV 1064: II. Adagio 05:26
• 3 Bach: Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in C Major, BWV 1064: III. Allegro 04:33
• Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in D Minor, BWV 1063:
• 4 Bach: Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in D Minor, BWV 1063: I. [...] 04:53
• 5 Bach: Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in D Minor, BWV 1063: II. Alla Siciliana 04:18
• 6 Bach: Concerto for Three Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in D Minor, BWV 1063: III. Allegro 04:48
• Concerto for Four Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in A Minor, BWV 1065:
• 7 Bach: Concerto for Four Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in A Minor, BWV 1065: I. [...] 03:45
• 8 Bach: Concerto for Four Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in A Minor, BWV 1065: II. Largo 02:01
• 9 Bach: Concerto for Four Harpsichords, Strings and Continuo in A Minor, BWV 1065: III. Allegro 03:18
• Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 (Arr. for 4 Harpsichords by Bertrand Cuiller):
• 10 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 (Arr. for 4 Harpsichords by Bertrand Cuiller): I. [...] 05:28
• 11 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 (Arr. for 4 Harpsichords by Bertrand Cuiller): II. Adagio 00:15
• 12 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 (Arr. for 4 Harpsichords by Bertrand Cuiller): III. Allegro 04:50
• Total Runtime 49:41

Info for J. S. Bach: Concertos for Three and Four Harpsichords

Rarely recorded on disc, Johann Sebastian Bach's concertos for three and four harpsichords illustrate the art of writing for keyboard and strings of which the composer was a pioneer. These emblematic works, characterised by a balance between strong themes and abundant internal energy, are performed by virtuoso harpsichordists from the new generation of Baroque musicians: Violaine Cochard, Olivier Fortin, Pierre Gallon, Jean-Luc Ho and, for the first time, the young Croatian harpsichordist Davor Krkljus, accompanied by the strings of Le Caravanserail under the direction of Bertrand Cuiller on harpsichord. The album also includes a previously unreleased transcription for four harpsichords of the famous Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, by Bertrand Cuiller.

Violaine Cochard, harpsichord
Bertrand Cuiller, harpsichord, direction
Olivier Fortin, harpsichord
Pierre Gallon, harpsichord
Jean-Luc Ho, harpsichord
Davor Krkljus, harpsichord
Le Caravanserail

The Ensemble Caravansérail
led by harpsichordist Bertrand Cuiller, specialises in historical interpretations of Baroque music. Renowned for its dynamic interpretations and attention to detail, the ensemble collaborates with talented singers and instrumentalists to bring to life works from the 17th and 18th centuries. Its repertoire ranges from opera to sacred music and instrumental compositions, with the aim of creating immersive and expressive musical experiences.

Bertrand Cuiller
Born into a family of musicians, Bertrand Cuiller began playing the harpsichord at the age of eight with his mother. At thirteen he met Pierre Hantaï, who became his mentor. He was also marked by his studies with Christophe Rousset at the CNSM in Paris. In 1998 he won third prize in the Bruges International Harpsichord Competition.

After several years in baroque ensembles such as Les Arts Florissants, Le Concert Spirituel and Le Poème Harmonique, Bertrand decided to concentrate exclusively on the harpsichord and chamber music, and then founded Caravanserai.

As a harpsichordist he is particularly fond of the English composers William Byrd and John Bull, whom he has recorded for Alpha and Mirare. He has also recorded for these labels concerti by Johann Sebastian Bach with the Stradivaria ensemble (Classica award of the year 2010), the complete works for harpsichord by Jean-Philippe Rameau (Classica award of the year 2015) as well as an album Scarlatti-Soler. All of his albums have been warmly received by audiences and critics alike.

In 2018, he participated in the Scarlatti 555 project organised by France Musique, performing and recording the complete sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti with 30 harpsichordists.

Since 2004, he has also followed Bruno Cocset in the projects of the Basses Réunies.

As a conductor, Bertrand Cuiller has notably conducted John Blow's Venus & Adonis (co-produced by Angers Nantes Opéra, Théâtre de Caen, Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, Opéra Comique, Opéra de Lille, MC2 Grenoble and CMBV), a programme entitled "Rameau, Opéra sans Parole" (Rameau, Opera without Words), harpsichord concerti by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the Brandenburg concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach and Rinaldo by Georg Friedric Handel, directed by Claire Dancoisne.

He is currently recording the complete works for harpsichord by François Couperin for harmonia mundi - PIAS. The first opus released in 2018 was Choc de l'année Classica and received 4F from Télérama. The second opus released in July 2020 was awarded a Diapason d'Or and 5 stars by Classica.

Booklet for J. S. Bach: Concertos for Three and Four Harpsichords