Die Kunst der Improvisation

On this CD:

1. Alman (Monsieur's Alman), for keyboard in C major, MB 44
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

2. Kemp's Jigge/The Parlement
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

3. Pavane & 2 Galliards ("The Earle of Salisbury"), for keyboard in A minor, No. 2 , MB 15
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

4. Work(s)
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

5. Corranto, for keyboard in C major, MB 45
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

6. Go from My Window, folk song
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

7. Queene Elizabeth, Her Galliard for lute, P97
Composed by John Dowland
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

8. Alman (The Queen's Alman), for keyboard, MB 10
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

9. Queenes Galliard
Composed by Antony Holborne
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

10. Lord Souche's Maske
Composed by Thomas Morley
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

11. Pavan & Galliard, for keyboard in A minor, No. 1, MB 14
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

12. Jouyssance Vous Donneray, chanson, for 4 voices
Composed by Claudin de Sermisy
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

13. Spagnoletta
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

14. Lavolta, for keyboard in G minor, No. 2, MB 91
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

15. Coranto (Shakespeare)
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

16. Daphne
Composed by Anonymous
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

17. My Lord of Oxenford's Mask (From Thomas Morley's "The First Booke of Consort Lessons")
Composed by William Byrd
Performed by Extempore String Ensemble

Tracks:

Contrapunctus 1
Contrapunctus 3
Contrapunctus 2
Contrapunctus 4
Nr.15 (Canon Alla Ottava)
Nr.16 (Canon Alla Decima)
Nr.17 (Canon Alla Duodecima)
Contrapunctus 8
Contrapunctus 11
Contrapunctus 10
Contrapunctus 9

Tracks:

Contrapunctus 5
Contrapunctus 6
Contrapunctus 7
Nr.14 (Canon Per Augmentationem In Contrario Motu)
Contrapunctus 12a
Contrapunctus 12b
Contrapunctus 13a
Contrapunctus 13b
Contrapunctus 18
Berliner Sax Qt: Free Spatial Improvisation

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best "Arts" Ever..........2004-05-24

This recording features surely one of the best Art of Fugue realizations ever: a huge value at the cheap price. With soprano, alto, tenor, and bass represented here, the timbre of Sax's wonderful horn shines. The performers are talented with their respective instruments, and they really have a good handle on Bach's esoteric piece. This recording rivals the recent Emerson Quartet's realization on DG--also highly recommended.

Other good "Art" realizations include: Walcha (organ) on DG/Arkhive; Gould (piano/organ) Sony; Rubsam (organ) Naxos; Leonhardt (harpsichord) Vanguard/Omega; and Nikolayeva (piano) Hyperion [this recording might have been discontinued; however, get it if you can find it: it is highly recommended!].

Orchestral versions of the "Art" are not recommended.

An unusual, but excellent arrangement.......2000-07-29

The Art of the Fugue was, according to some, Bach's last great composition. There have always been discussions as to whether or not it was finished at the time of his death, and exactly what instrument(s) he intended for its performance. All in all, it has been recorded by just about every possible solo and small group imaginable.

This arrangement for saxaphone quartett is about as different as they come. I bought this out of curiosity, but find that I enjoy it as much as any other CD of The Art of the Fugue I own. Like many records of this piece, there is a added cut to indicate, I suppose, the unfinished nature of it. In this case the quartett added an improvosational piece. To tell the truth I listened to the whole set twice before I noticed it. It is avante gaurde, but fits with the Bach very well.