Angela Hewitt's name is nearly synonymous with Johann Sebastian Bach, who celebrates his birthday today. Hewitt, the renowned Canadian pianist, has performed and recorded all of Bach's major keyboard works. She even devoted her 2007–2008 world tour to playing Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier in 26 countries.
In honour of what would have been Bach's 328th birthday, Hewitt details four of her essential Bach keyboard pieces, which you can stream below.
1. Art of Fugue.
"I put this piece off for many years, but 2012–2013 is the season for it. It's an incredibly complex piece that takes hours to simply play the notes and figure it out. It's Bach's last word on fugal writing. I've already performed the first half and am working tirelessly on the second half, which I'll perform in Istanbul, again in May at London's Royal Festival Hall, along with many other places all over the world. In August I’ll play the whole thing in Ottawa."
2. Goldberg Variations.
"This is one of my very favourite Bach pieces. It makes a huge impact in performance, causing many to call it a spiritual experience — one hour and 20 minutes straight. It feels like a complete voyage, beginning and ending with the same theme."
[PLAY]Listen to Angela Hewitt perform the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations.
3. Well-Tempered Clavier.
"I performed this work all over the world, about 110 times in 26 countries on six continents during my Bach world tour. It’s another incredibly moving piece, which audiences don’t often get the chance to hear."
[PLAY]Listen to Angela Hewitt perform Bach's Prelude & Fugue in C major from the Well-Tempered Clavier, book 1.
4. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.
"This was the first concerto to have a prominent part for the keyboard, allowing the keyboardist to be soloist along with flute, violin and the strings. It’s a historical first, but it’s also a very fun piece to play."
[PLAY]Listen to Angela Hewitt perform Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Did Angela Hewitt miss an essential Bach work? Let us know in the comments below, or on Twitter, Facebook or by email. You can hear her playing Bach on today’sTempo on CBC Radio 2.
Related:
Angela Hewitt: my battle with Bach