Bach: Overture in the French Style, BWV 831 – Ernst Victor Wolff

Johann Sebastian Bach: Overture in the French Style, BWV 831 (from the Clavier-Übung II) Fugue in a minor, BWV 947 0:00 Album cover 0:10 Overture 7:37 Courante 8:46 Gavotte I-II 11:55 Passepied I-II 15:09 Sarabande 18:42 Bourrée I-II 21:07 Gigue 22:21 Echo 25:05 Fugue in a minor, BWV 947 Ernst Victor Wolff, harpsichord (Maendler-Schramm) Columbia Masterworks Set No. 357 (records 69462-D to 69465-D) Released in 1939 (?) This album was most likely released in 1939. If this is indeed the case, then it is the earliest complete recording of BWV 831 I know of; the fact it was performed on a harpsichord rather than a piano is also noteworthy. Ernst Victor Wolff (1889-1960) was active as a pianist and harpsichordist, performing both as a soloist and an accompanist. From 1947 until his death he taught at Michigan State University. Perhaps his most famous student was the harpsichordist and musicologist Alan Curtis. It goes without saying that, when listening to performances of baroque music from the earlier part of the twentieth century, we have to keep in mind that the performing conventions of that time were very different. Not surprisingly, the harpsichord is a revival instrument, and there are certain performing decisions (like some of the ritardandi and the frequent changes in registration) that may appear slightly exaggerated. However, Wolff’s playing has a rhythmic vitality and fluidity that makes his performance far more imaginative than the literal, almost metronomic approach that came to dominate modern-instrument performances of Baroque music in the 1950s and 60s. Furthermore, his nuanced sense of phrasing and awareness of beat hierarchy vividly bring out the dance element in many of the movements, and result in a performance that is engaging from beginning to end.