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I am pleased to introduce an album released on 25^th August, 2014, which I consider to be very special: works both by Johann Sebastian Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, performed by the Georgian cellist Lisa Batiashvili and her guests, the oboe player Francois Leleux, Lisa’s husband and the French flutist Emmanuel Pahud, member in the Berlin Philharminic Orchestra. It is an album displaying an unusual atmosphere, which is highlighted also by the presentation video, in which Lisa Batiashvili performs the Symphony from the Cantata BWV 156 by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Here we have, another album, full of delicacy and introspection - I admit to have a special affinity for another work by Bach: the Concert BWW 1060 in C minor, for violin, oboe, strings and continuo. I listened and compared: this concert, whose performance- signed by the cellist Janine Jansen and  Ramon Ortega Quero- which I considered to be my favourite until now, and the one you will listen in very  short time: Lisa Batiashvili and Francois Leleux. It’s absolutely fascinating to see how the same score can sound so different: Lisa Batiashvili and Francois Leleux propose a more alert tempo, but despite this, the details are so well-finished, the phrases endings are so wonderful constructed, that now I can state that my favourite version of the Concert in C minor for viola, oboe and orchestra by Bach is the one performed by Lisa Batiashvili, Francois Leleux and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Radoslaw Szulc.

Lisa Batiashvili

I am a great admirer of the Georgian cellist Lisa Batiashvili, whom I had the opportunity to listen two times performing live - once during the Beethoven Festival in Bonn and the second time, during the Enescu Festival, last year, when she performed together with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam.

You cannot remain indifferent to her young and simple style and to the force and power with which she is be able to reach the most intimate aspects of the score; although she is 35, when you look at her on the stage, so thin and fragile, you might think she is 20.

A Chronicle

Lisei Batiashvili’s new album has already caught the attention of the international press. On 16^th August, Andy Gill from "The Independent", wrote that “the abilities of the cellist are probably best shown in the Sonata no.2 for viola, by Bach, sonata which asks several questions to which she answers with aplomb and confidence”.

Yes, I believe that this Sonata for solo viola no.2 has been the most difficult performed by Lisa Batiashvili- and you could expect that, since the composition was difficult and compact. No wonder that many musicians say that, in order to maintain their artistic performances, they practice Bach’s works every day.

Bach the Son

On this album, you can find a work by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the most famous son among the numberless children Bach had had, and who followed his father’s career. Now it’s the proper time to remember Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach because, in 2014, we celebrate 300 years from his birthday! During his period, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was more famous than his father; today, Johann Sebastian is considered the father of the religious music. So, on this album, we have the opportunity to participate to a premiere: the Trio-sonata in C minor for viola, flute and continuo by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. Together with Lisa Batiashvili: Emmanuel Pahud and Peter Kofler playing the harpsichord.

Premiers

And this is not the sole work recorded in premiere on this album, as the last work on the album is a premiere as well- a version for viola, oboe and orchestra after the famous aria "Erbarme dich" from “St Matteus Passion”, by Johann Sebastian Bach-another work which proves the musical and personal comprehension level between the husbands  Lisa Batiashvili and  Francois Leleux, unified not only by the music they perform, but also by the two children they have together; an exceptional recording, realized together with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Radoslaw Szulc.