Credits:

Thibault Cauvin

Description:

The first release from the independent label “initie,” launched in 2023, features Patrick Denecker, a leading figure in Belgium’s early music scene and and founder of the ensemble “Red Herring,” and renowned keyboardist Guy Penson, active with ensembles such as Il Fondamento and Ricercar Consort.Titled “BACH in DUO,” this ambitious work features “reverse arrangements” of pieces originally written for solo harpsichordsuch as the Partitas and French Suitestransformed into a duo format for a melodic instrument (recorder) and basso continuo. During the Baroque era, performing existing pieces with whatever instruments were available was a common practice. While preserving the dance-like character of the original compositions, the simple, warm tone of the recorder highlights the melody lines, supported by the richly colored harpsichord. This breathes new life into these familiar masterpieces, pre