Frank Peter Zimmermann - J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol. 2 (2023)

Since the mid-1980s, Frank Peter Zimmermann has earned recognition as one of the world’s leading violinists, admired not only for his technical skill and interpretive intelligence, but also for his versatility in a wide-ranging repertoire. His extensive discography ranges from Bach concertos and Beethoven sonatas to works by composers such as Martinů, Ligeti, Magnus Lindberg and Brett Dean. He waited until the fourth decade of his career, however, to take on Bach’s Sei solo a Violino senza Basso accompagnato, the six sonatas and partitas for solo violin. The first disc (BIS-2577) dedicated to this absolute pinnacle in the repertoire for the instrument was released in February 2022 to great critical acclaim. Now comes the much-awaited conclusion to this collection. Zimmermann compares these works to ‘a mighty tree, which protects me and crushes me at the same time’, the music giving him hope and strength at the same time as it confronts him with his limits as a violinist. On this new release, he now offers us the Sonata No. 1 in G minor, as well as the B minor Partita No. 1 and the Sonata No. 3 in C major.

Tracklist
01. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: I. Adagio
02. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: II. Fuga
03. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: III. Siciliana
04. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: IV. Presto
05. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: I. Allemanda
06. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: I. Double
07. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: II. Corrente
08. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: II. Double
09. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: III. Sarabande
10. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: III. Double
11. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: IV. Tempo di Borea
12. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: IV. Double
13. Bach: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: I. Adagio
14. Bach: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: II. Fuga
15. Bach: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: III. Largo
16. Bach: Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: IV. Allegro assai