Track Listing

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Allegro Assai
4. Sarabande
5. Gigue
6. Aria Variata In A Minor (Italian Variations) BWV 989
7. Gigue From Violin Partita No.3 BWV 1006
8. Allegro
9. Largo
10. Allegro
11. Allegro
12. Largo
13. Presto
14. Bist Du Bei Mir From The Anna Magdalena Notebook BWV 508
15. Allegro
16. Larghetto
17. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
18. Badinerie From Orchestral Suite No.2 BWV 1067
19. Agnus Dei From Mass In B Minor BWV 232

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15171 in Music
• Released on: 2006-01-10
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Alison Balsom's Bach is a spirited romp through various works of the master arranged for trumpet solo and a changing cast of colleagues. Orchestral works are done in a chamber reduction, with the trumpet taking the solo violin part; solo works, like two movements from Bach's Cello Suite No. 2, are played in arrangements for trumpet. Transpositions abound, the net result being vaguely familiar music sounding fresh and different. In general, Balsom is most effective in faster, more outgoing movements and pieces where her bright tone, technical mastery, and sprightly tempos carry the day. The Italian-based works, Bach's Italian Variations, and his own arrangements from Vivaldi and Marcello fit this pattern, and so does the Trio Sonata arrangement from an organ work, where Balsom's trumpet interacts with violin and basso continuo to strike sparks. Least effective are the arrangements of movements from Bach's unaccompanied violin and cello masterpieces, in part because the inherent brightness of her trumpet is at odds with the warmth and nuances of a stringed instrument. The Badinerie from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2, whose melody and its association with the flute are indelibly imprinted on music lovers, comes off as a spectacular accomplishment on Balsom's far more unwieldy instrument. Excellent playing by the assisting musicians helps make this foray into a modernized version of Bach's music an enjoyable experience. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

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I came across this CD from a review on the MPR web site. It was selected as one of the top classical recordings of 06' or 07'. If you are quite knowledgeable and opinionated about technical aspects of classical trumpet I am sure you will point out this & that and how so & so is much better, etc. The bottom line for me is I want to be entertained and moved emotionally. On those counts this is an excellent recording, performed by obviously a highly talented artist. I'll certainly be looking for more gems from her like this one.

Excellent CD, beautiful playing
Of course you can only go wrong with Bach when playing is suspect or the sound quality is bad.

Neither are issues here as Balsom plays with technical command and beautiful phrasings. Also, as I learned in the liner notes, Balsom has studies with Hakan Hardenberger which is certainly great bona fides.

I'm not familiar with many other trumpet interpretations of these pieces, so the CD is an excellent addition to the catalog.

Great new sound
Alison brings a feminine touch to the trumpet tone as I have never heard. Her transcriptions are well picked and flawlessly executed. I would highly recommend this cd to any instrumentalist.