It is well known that
Bach
was fascinated by the Italian style, which he explored via a group of transcriptions and that influenced his own music deeply. His transcriptions for keyboard of
Vivaldi
concertos of various kinds show up on concert programs often enough, but few musicians have explored the phenomenon in so much depth and with so much flair as harpsichordist
Justin Taylor
. He does include transcriptions of
concertos and the
Italian Concerto, BWV 971
, the work in which
distilled the Italian influences into a brilliant idiom of his own. Yet, he also shows other strands of Italian influence. There is a
Toccata for harpsichord
by
Alessandro Scarlatti
that fits nicely with
's improvisatory pieces like the
Concerto in G major, BWV 973
, somewhat frustratingly shorn of its fugue. He also contributes a transcription of his own of a
flute concerto, seemingly trying to enter into
's frame of mind.
Taylor
's playing is energetic and bright, with a strong feel for the keyboardistic quality of
's music, and it is really quite fresh in its approach. Also notable is his harpsichord, an instrument resident at France's Chateau d'Assas, where the album was splendidly recorded. It is tuned a full step down from modern pitch, with some crunchy intervals that add tension to the music (it might have been good to have more information about the tuning). An extremely exciting
release, equally successful in conception and execution. ~ James Manheim