Henk van Twillert - albumpresentatie 'Bach - Partita in D Minor'.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Partita No.2 in D minor BWV 1004
Transcription for Baritone Saxophone by Henk van Twillert

Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Gigue
Chaconne

As the needle traces the grooves of this vinyl record, I am immersed in the timeless melodies of Johann Sebastian Bach—a master of polyphony and compositional brilliance. Partita No.2 in D minor BWV 1004, entitled "Sei Solo a Violino senza Basso accompagnato" by Johann Sebastian Bach, stands as a testament to his genius. Completed in 1720 in Köthen, where he served as Kapellmeister, this Partita has become renowned, particularly for its concluding piece, the astonishing Chaconne. Considered one of the most demanding and a pinnacle in the solo violin repertoire composition, the Chaconne holds a special place in Bach's oeuvre. Its duration nearly matches the other four movements—Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue. Bach presumably wrote the Chaconne in honor of the death of his wife, Maria Barbara Bach (1684 - 1720), imbuing it with a profound emotional depth that resonates with the circle of life.

This album, a homage to Johann Sebastian Bach's enduring legacy, represents a profound journey intertwined with my musical path. It's a journey marked by countless concerts, recordings, and scholarly pursuits—all in pursuit of the timeless melodies of baroque music, with Bach holding a special place in my soul. Throughout this personal pilgrimage, questions abound, guiding me deeper into the labyrinth of musical creation. From meticulous transcriptions to the delicate balance between breath and bowing, these inquiries shape my understanding as a musician and a teacher.

In the saxophone's repertoire, transcriptions play a vital role, particularly considering the instrument's relatively recent creation by Adolphe Sax in 1846. With its profound influence on saxophonists, the music of the Baroque era has served as both a rich material source and an essential pedagogical tool. However, tackling Bach's solo works presents a unique challenge for saxophonists—the inability to articulate multiple voices simultaneously. Despite this constraint, my interpretation of the saxophone can evoke the depth and complexity of Bach's compositions, hinting at the hidden dimensions within.

Mendelssohn's decision to provide piano accompaniment for the Chaconne, and later his interpretations of its harmonies, was a pivotal moment. Through this act, Bach's unparalleled ability to craft intricate polyphony found renewed appreciation, sparking a renaissance of interest in his works. Following this path, the CD combined with this album, includes the bonus track of Bach’s Chaconne in an arrangement by Henk van Twillert, based on the cello arrangement of Laszlo Varga (1924 - 2014), and the piano accompaniment of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809 - 1847). Performed by Henk van Twillert and the Baritone Baroque Collective, consisting of Henk van Twillert, Nuno Ramos, Sara Pais, and Gonçalo Silva.

This album is not merely a collection of recordings—it reflects my innermost self, a testament to the passion that propels me forward, and a tribute to the dreamers who dared to turn visions into melodies that transcend time. As the music plays on, I carry with me the echoes of past performances and the whispers of future melodies, guided by an unwavering belief in music's power to unite souls in a timeless symphony of love and longing.

Henk van Twillert

Amsterdam, June 2024

Host or Publisher Stadsherstel Amsterdam