Album: Bach, Fantasy – Christophe Rousset (Aparté)

Played on a 1632 Ruckers harpsichord, Rousset's recital explores some of Bach's most vivacious and unusual works.

While the drooping ground-bass in the early "Capriccio sopra la lontanza..." points back to the works of Kuhnau and Froberger, and the "Aria variata" takes its inspiration from Italy, the muscular chromaticism of the "Fantasia in A-minor" anticipates the harmonic experiments of the next generation. Stylistically and tonally, the variety is dazzling.