JS BACH
Keyboard Concerto in F major, BWV 1057 (after Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 BWV 1049)

Johann PACHELBEL
Chorale and 7 Partita on “Herzlich tut mich verlangen”, P.378

JS BACH
Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727
Komm, du süße Todesstunde (Come, you sweet hour of death), BWV 161

When Bach decided to transcribe his Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, BWV 1049 into the Keyboard Concerto in F, BWV 1057, he created something exceptionally effective from the triple concerto for violin and two recorders. Inspired by the endless possibilities, the harpsichord is deployed in ingenious ways with a wealth of timbres.

Bach’s Cantata Komm, du süße Todesstunde is of indescribable charm, the sound of two recorders characterising the peaceful, spiritualised tone that prevails. This mournfully yet happy piece is just one of Bach’s many sermons on the hour of death, and contains the German hymn-melody which is best known in this country, the so-called Passion Chorale, H. L. Hassler’s ‘Herzlich thut mich verlange’, on which Pachelbel set his Chorale and 7 Partita.