Description
Released 3 February 2023
Tears from BABYLON – J.S. BACH: Piano Transcriptions
Alexandra Papastefanou piano
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685–1750)
Sonata No. 5 in C major, BWV 529
1. I. Allegro
2. II. Largo
Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!, BWV 51
3. Chorale: Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren
Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen, BWV 13
4. Aria: Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen
5. Chorale: Der Gott, der mir hat versprochen
Geist und Seele wird verwirret, BWV 35
6. Aria: Gott hat alles wohlgemacht
Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18
7. I. Sinfonia
8. II. Aria: Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort
J. S. BACH / Alexandra PAPASTEFANOU (b. 1957)
9. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 711 / Playing (with) Bach
J. S. BACH
Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott, BWV 127
10. Aria: Die Seele ruht in Jesu Händen
Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe, BWV 22
11. Chorale: Ertöt uns durch dein Güte
J. S. BACH / Alexandra PAPASTEFANOU
12. An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653 / A Tribute to Bill Evans
J. S. BACH
Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147
13. Chorale: Jesus bleibet meine Freude (arr. M. Hess)
1–12. transcribed by Alexandra Papastefanou
13. arranged by Myra Hess
Recorded at the Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera, Athens, 7–8 June 2022
Produced by Panagiota Kliropoulou
Engineered and edited by Petros Petropoulos
Mastered by John Croft (Chiaro Audio)
24bit high resolution recording and mastering
“All in all this is a fabulous album, wide-ranging in scope and mood, played with reverence and love for the music without resorting to indulgence. I am bowled over by her sense of colour and texture, with real clarity to the voicing; this is Bach playing of a high order.” (MusicWeb International)
“Papastefanou captures the essence of Bach’s music, whilst taking us in some new and unexpected directions too” (Classical Notes)
“If you like piano transcriptions of Bach’s music – and many listeners to Radio 3’s ‘Bach before Seven’ seem to – then you will enjoy this collection.” (Early Music Review)
**** / **** (BBC Music Magazine)
“Papastefanou goes to some length in her wonderful booklet essay as to why she uses the term transcription…. These transcriptions are a serious, effective effort. The two with more up-to-date styles supply just a little break from the straightforward Bach we hear in the others. I will keep this on my active listening stack for quite some time.” (American Record Guide)
“I believe that she has realized her intention masterfully here. These are clear-headed performances of equally clear-headed transcriptions. There is nothing to fault here…” (Fanfare Magazine)