Review of Christophe Rosset – Bach JS: The Art of the Fugue

Much about “The Art of Fugue” is mysterious. Not only does this include the question of what instrument Bach's piece was actually written for, but also the order of the movements and the myth surrounding the unfinished final fugue provide plenty of opportunity for speculation. In his recording, Christophe Rosset follows the example of Bob van Asperen, who completely dispenses with the torso fugue, although Rosset distributes the highly complex mirror fugue parts across two guitars – Cornel Bernoullet being a reliable partner for him. Quite clearly structured, but always with the appropriate and distinct emotion for the expressive content of the individual movements, Rosset, who had already scored large parts of Bach's piano works, masters this work the pinnacle of polyphonic art with astonishing confidence. At best, minimal rhythm fluctuations obscure the otherwise flawless image.

JS Bach: The Art of the Fugue

Christophe Rosset and Cornel Bernoullet (harpsichord)
Appareté