Dresden

‘A MUSICAL CONTEST IN DRESDEN'

According to the legend J.S.Bach and L.Marchand had a passage of arms whilst in Dresden in the year 1717. Marchand, a well known keyboard virtuoso and improvisator, was offered an important and well paid job by the Elector of Saxony. Apparently the French concertorganiser Jean-Baptiste Volumier came up with the idea for a contest, which should have comprised both the harpsichord and the organ.

Altough several accounts exist as to what took place, it is know almost impossible to tell what exactly happened, although it seems certain that the organ contest never took part. However, we can learn from the sources that both men did have great esteem for one another and it even appears that Bach played Marchand's compositions. From this story the present program arose.

A program of how it could have happened. After an Italian-style sonata in which Bach, or one of his excellent students, shows us what a real master can do in reworking a piece originally for solo violin, the very French and harmonically rich music by Marchand will be performed. It is not difficult at all to imagine why Bach would have liked to play this music himself!
After the interval we will hear how Bach interprets the French style, although the Prélude hints more to Italian influences, thanks to its concerto-like construction. At the end both men leave the battleground, proud and with affection, whilst N.Lebègue happily is ringing the churchbells.

Program:

J.S.Bach: Sonata in d-minor, after violinsonata in a-minor

L.Marchand: Suite in d-minor

INTERVAL

J.S.Bach: English Suite no.3 in g-minor & Toccata in e-minor

N.Lebègue: Les Cloches