J.S. Bach: Guitar Music 

The guitar as we know it did not exist in Bach's time - there was the baroque guitar, but it was not widespread in Germany. The closest chordophone instrument to Bach was the baroque lute, an instrument that the genius from Eisenach had among his instruments but probably did not play.

Bach’s music is often described as indestructible, in the sense that no matter how it is performed, or in whichever arrangement, its essential spirit survives. Therefore transcriptions of the Master’s works are common, today as they were in Bach’s time. Bach himself was an ardent transcriber of his own music and that of others!

This new recording presents instrumental works by Bach transcribed for and played on the modern guitar. Included are many famous and popular works: Air (from the Orchestral Suite No. 3), Chaconne (for violin solo), Jesu, meine Freude, Sicilienne (original for flute and harpsichord), Aria from Goldberg Variations and many more.

Luigi Attademo is one of today’s foremost guitarists, with an extensive discography to his name: for Brilliant Classics he recorded works by Paganini (BC 94963, 94348), Scarlatti (BC 91252), Bach (BC 94294) and two CD devoted to historical guitars (BC 95024, 95702).

• Bach, J S: Flute Sonata No. 2, BWV1031: Siciliano in G minor
• Bach, J S: Goldberg Variations, BWV988: Aria
• Bach, J S: Jesu, bleibet meine Freude (from Cantata BWV147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben')
• Bach, J S: Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F minor, BWV1056: II. Largo
• Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004: Chaconne
• Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E, BWV1006: Gavotte
• Bach, J S: Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV565
• Bach, J S: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: Sicilienne