The Decca legend's new recording is set to be released on 15 October, over half a century after his first
Vladimir Ashkenazy is set to release a double album of Bach works this coming October – combining his latest recording of the composer's English Suites 1-3 and his first-ever Bach recording from 1965, the Concerto in D minor. An astonishing 56 years and a lifetime’s experience of this timeless music span the two recordings, marking the longest exclusive association between pianist and record label in history.
His 1965 Bach recording followed on from his 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition triumph in Moscow, which propelled him to overnight stardom. He signed for Decca in 1963 and immediately became associated with the Russian repertoire. His first releases included concertos by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. The switch to a Bach keyboard concerto in a classic Kingsway Hall recording was a big shift in direction, but it paid off. This was the start of a lifelong journey with Bach’s music and a composer he perhaps reveres above all others: “Next to Bach I am nothing”.
The full tracklist for this highly anticipated new album can be found below:
CD 1
- J. S. Bach: Suite No. 1 in A major, BWV806
- Prélude
- Allemande
- Courante I
- Courante II
- Double I
- Double II
- Sarabande
- Bourrée I
- Bourée II & Bourrée Da Capo
- Gigue
- Suite No.2 in A minor, BWV 807
- Prélude
- Allemande
- Courante
- Sarabande
- Les agréments de la même Sarabande
- Bourrée I
- Bourée II & Bourrée I Da Capo
- Gigue
- Suite No.3 in G major, BWV 808
- Prélude
- Allemande
- Courante
- Sarabande
- Les agréments de la même Sarabande
- Gavotte I
- Gavotte II & Gavotte I Da Capo
- Gigue
CD 2
- J.S. Bach: Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052
- i. Andante
- ii. Adagio
- iii. Presto
