Bach Partitas 1, 2 & 5
“ Willis’ masterful sense of timing and
the delicate sound of the instrument held
the audience in a profound, attentive silence.”
– Washington Post
First Unitarian Church
at Benefit & Benevolent St., Providence, RI
Come enjoy our wonderful Sunday afternoon concert series
followed by wine and cheese get-together with the artists and music lovers!
Tickets can be purchased at the door*
— many good seats available!$25 general seating, $8 students/low-income
For more information
email: museumconcerts@outlook.com
or visit MuseumConcerts.org
Mailing address: Museum Concerts, PO Box 23055, Providence, RI 02903
Program Note
Throughout his life J. S. Bach was fascinated by
instrument building – whether organs, various harpsichords, or the oboe da caccia, Bach kept on the cutting edge of what was possible in sonic design.
He played a dozen or so new Silbermann fortepianos in 1746 when he visited Frederick the Great in Berlin, and impressed this musical monarch with his brilliant improvisations and his criticism of the instruments themselves.
Recent research has suggested that by this time Bach may even have been a sales agent for Silbermann in Leipzig.
The six Partitas were published by Bach in 1729. Although Bach only specifies clavier in these sets of keyboard dances, today they are most commonly played on harpsichord or modern piano. Andrew Willis brings a new sense of excitement by performing these beloved pieces on historic piano.