L'Achéron

These three Sonatas BWV1027, 1028 and 1029 for viola da gamba and obbligato harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach are probably the best-known works for viola da gamba in his repertoire, both performed in this original formation and often with cello, viola, or piano. Bach himself adapted the Sonata BWV1039 for two flutes and basso continuo to create the BWV1027 performed here, and it was not uncommon for the Leipzig Kantor to adapt his pieces to suit various instruments.

Listening to these Sonatas, certain themes are reminiscent of other works by Bach, both instrumental and vocal. It should not be forgotten that Bach was an organist, used to playing with the registrations of his organ, i.e. to change the colours of the voices played according to his wishes (on an organ, these are for example the stops for "trumpet", "montre", "flute", "viola da gamba", "oboe", etc.) The music he composed is marked by this intrinsic flexibility; each melody can have several colours and be played on several instruments. This perhaps explains why Bach's music works so well on any instrument.

It is with this idea in mind that François Joubert-Caillet and Philippe Grisvard propose to interpret these Sonatas: by imagining concretely which other instruments could have played this music, in other settings than that of chamber music. Thus, one movement will recall an aria for flute, or an aria from a Cantata with trumpet, another a recitativo accompagnato from a Passion, or a fugue for choir and orchestra in a Motet or a Mass, or even a movement from a Sonata for violin. The viola da gamba and harpsichord ensemble alone will thus allow us to hear the entire vocal and instrumental universe of the Kantor, facilitated by the natural flexibility of these instruments to take on other colours, to blend into identities other than their own.

Cast

François Joubert-Caillet, bass viol 
Philippe Grisvard, harpsichord