Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos
Sundays in June
J. S. Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos belong to the composer’s most familiar works. Bach wrote these concertos between 1711 and 1720 and dedicated them in 1721 to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg. The concertos are based on the Italian concerto grosso form, in which a group of solo instruments plays against the backdrop of a large ensemble. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos feature remarkable combinations of solo instruments and contain mind-bogglingly virtuoso solos. On Sundays throughout June at 10:00 CEST, Stingray Classica premieres new recordings of J. S. Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos, here performed by Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks with his renowned Baroque ensemble Collegium 1704. On June 4, Stingray Classica broadcasts Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 1 and 2. One week later, on June 11, Stingray Classica presents Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 3 and 4. The specials closes on June 18 with Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 5 and 6. These performances were recorded at the picturesque Hall of Mirrors of Köthen Castle in Germany.
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 1
Sunday, June 4 | 10:00
In this performance at the Hall of Mirrors in the Köthen Castle, Germany, Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks and his Collegium 1704 present Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046. This concerto was written for strings, woodwinds, and brass, and features solos from each instrument group.
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 2
Sunday, June 4 | 10:20
In this performance at the Hall of Mirrors in the Köthen Castle, Germany, Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks and his Collegium 1704 present Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047. This piece features trumpet, violin, recorder, and oboe solos. Especially outstanding are the high, virtuoso trumpet parts.
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Sunday, June 11 | 10:00
In this performance at the Hall of Mirrors in the Köthen Castle, Germany, Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks and his Collegium 1704 present Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048. This concerto was composed for three violins, three violas, three cellos, and basso continuo. Remarkable is the concerto’s form: the two fast movements are separated by an Adagio consisting of a single measure of just two chords.
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 4
Sunday, June 11 | 10:10
In this performance at the Hall of Mirrors in the Köthen Castle, Germany, Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks and his Collegium 1704 present Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049. This concerto features solos from two recorders and a violin. The recorders play a prominent role in the concerto’s second movement, while the violin dominates the fast first and third movements.
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Sunday, June 18 | 10:00
In this performance at the Hall of Mirrors in the Köthen Castle, Germany, Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks and his Collegium 1704 present Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050. Remarkably, the harpsichord appears as a solo instrument here, along with the flute and violin, rather than as an accompanying instrument. The piece is therefore considered one of Bach’s very first keyboard concertos.
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 6
Sunday, June 18 | 10:20
In this performance at the Hall of Mirrors in the Köthen Castle, Germany, Czech harpsichordist and conductor Václav Luks and his Collegium 1704 present Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major, BWV 1051. Contrary to the other five concertos, this piece does not include violins, instead offering the floor to the lower strings and the harpsichord.
