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On "Three Or One", Bach appears in transfigured light. Fred Thomas’ ECM New Series debut presents organ chorale preludes, vocal cantata movements and orchestral sinfonias – 24 pieces in all – transcribed for trio and solo piano by the British pianist himself. Throughout, Bach’s idiom is thoughtfully explored by three innovative players – a process Thomas describes as "quietly joyful" – and the trio pieces, primarily drawn from Bach’s Orgelbüchlein, acquire a fresh character in the hands of Thomas, violinist Aisha Orazbayeva and cellist Lucy Railton.
Both respectful of the original musical texts but unique in their execution, Thomas’ reformulations strike a rare balance between moderation and innovation. In the process, the pianist draws attention to various techniques used to "separate the voices and avoid the typical blending and blurring of the organ in a church. Particularly interesting to me", he explains, "was to illuminate how the musical characters interact, sometimes stubbornly ignoring one another as they continue their trajectories, other times moving in separate dimensions, unaware of anything but themselves, and often intertwining in a kind of blissful symbiosis". <br<
The pianist points to the tradition of improvisation that prevails in baroque music, elucidating his understated approach to Bach’s texts by referring to the spontaneous improvisational design that distinguished the changeable art of counterpoint in Bach’s time. Pointing to the things that were played but not written in the musical text, Thomas notes that "Baroque musicians shared a clear understanding of what the interpreter must contribute". A skill that translates to the pianist’s fellow interpreters on this recording and, enhanced by their versatile musical backgrounds, helped form these unique adaptations: "That we can’t help but bring too many things to the table is an incitement to creativity. Bach often re-used his own material and it is no surprise it came out differently each time. With his imaginative, technical and improvisatory powers, do we really believe that Bach would play the same thing the same way twice?" It’s a good question, and the key to the approach taken on "Three Or One". © ECM New Series
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6 Choräle von verschiedener Art, BWV 645-650 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, ComposerLyricist - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599-644 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Der Herr denket an uns, Cantata BWV 196 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elliott Perkin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599-644 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht, Cantata BWV 105 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Traditional, Author - Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elliott Perkin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, Cantata BWV 202 "Wedding Cantata" (Fred Thomas)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Anonymous, Author - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Composer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elliott Perkin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad, Cantata BWV 165 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elliott Perkin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, Cantata BWV 33 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elliott Perkin, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV Anh. II 78 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
O Gott, Du frommer Gott, BWV 767 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599-644 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
6 Choräle von verschiedener Art, BWV 645-650 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Johann Sebastian Bach, ComposerLyricist - Christoph Stickel, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Fred Thomas, Arranger, Piano, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lucy Railton, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Aisha Orazbayeva, Violin, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Alex Bonney, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
Album review
On "Three Or One", Bach appears in transfigured light. Fred Thomas’ ECM New Series debut presents organ chorale preludes, vocal cantata movements and orchestral sinfonias – 24 pieces in all – transcribed for trio and solo piano by the British pianist himself. Throughout, Bach’s idiom is thoughtfully explored by three innovative players – a process Thomas describes as "quietly joyful" – and the trio pieces, primarily drawn from Bach’s Orgelbüchlein, acquire a fresh character in the hands of Thomas, violinist Aisha Orazbayeva and cellist Lucy Railton.
Both respectful of the original musical texts but unique in their execution, Thomas’ reformulations strike a rare balance between moderation and innovation. In the process, the pianist draws attention to various techniques used to "separate the voices and avoid the typical blending and blurring of the organ in a church. Particularly interesting to me", he explains, "was to illuminate how the musical characters interact, sometimes stubbornly ignoring one another as they continue their trajectories, other times moving in separate dimensions, unaware of anything but themselves, and often intertwining in a kind of blissful symbiosis". <br<
The pianist points to the tradition of improvisation that prevails in baroque music, elucidating his understated approach to Bach’s texts by referring to the spontaneous improvisational design that distinguished the changeable art of counterpoint in Bach’s time. Pointing to the things that were played but not written in the musical text, Thomas notes that "Baroque musicians shared a clear understanding of what the interpreter must contribute". A skill that translates to the pianist’s fellow interpreters on this recording and, enhanced by their versatile musical backgrounds, helped form these unique adaptations: "That we can’t help but bring too many things to the table is an incitement to creativity. Bach often re-used his own material and it is no surprise it came out differently each time. With his imaginative, technical and improvisatory powers, do we really believe that Bach would play the same thing the same way twice?" It’s a good question, and the key to the approach taken on "Three Or One". © ECM New Series
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 24 track(s)
- Total length: 01:01:08
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Fred Thomas Aisha Orazbayeva Lucy Railton
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: ECM New Series
- Genre: Classical
© 2021 ECM Records GmbH ℗ 2021 ECM Records GmbH
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