Lyrics: EN, IT

Mayumi Hirasaki has been researching and playing the Mystery Sonatas for over 15 years and is specialized in the scordatura technique, as she already proved in the highly acclaimed L’Arte della Scordatura (PAS 1080). 

In this recording she chose to differentiate the settings of the basso continuo and in some sonatas she underlined the more intimate character of the Mystery Sonatas as a private musical matter by using a small continuo setting. The spiritual character of the music is emphasized both musically and by the artwork.

Booklet: EN, FR, DE

With this album, violinist Mayumi Hirasaki, who has been Concerto Köln’s concertmaster since 2011, explores the chameleon-like possibilities of her instrument: when playing with scordatura, instead of the usual fifths interval between the violin strings, an alternative is used in which at least one string is tuned to a different pitch. This results in completely new sonic and harmonic possibilities, which Mayumi Hirasaki presents in works by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Biagio Marini and Giuseppe Tartini, among others – sometimes highly virtuosic, sometimes dance-like or cantabile.

Booklet: EN, DE

Johann Sebastian Bach composed many works for violin (besides the pieces for organ and harpsichord, the two instruments he mainly played). He had learned to play the violin as a child and knew its characteristics perfectly well. Unfortunately, the manuscripts of many of his compositions were lost after his death: the three sonatas for violin and basso continuo BWV 1021, 1023 and 1024 are today a small remnant of what is thought to be a much larger production. In addition to these sonatas, the album is completed by harpsichord transcriptions of some movements from the solo sonatas for violin, which may have been adapted by Bach himself, and by a trio sonata originally written for violin, flute and basso continuo in a version for violin and harpsichord obbligato.

Booklet: EN, DE, FR, IT