After his success with Bach’s Cello Suites in two volumes, Slava Grigoryan now joins his brother Leonard and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra directed by Benjamin Northey, in this newly released recording of Bach concertos as arranged by their father, Edward Grigoryan. Between them the brothers have so far impressively received three ARIA awards from numerous nominations.
Any transcription or arrangement of music as well-known as Bach’s invites close scrutiny. With music as intricate as this, any adjustment no matter how small, let alone as fundamental as to what instruments are performing the solo parts, is noticeable, and there is for this reviewer an immediate sense of forfeit. Changing from a bowed instrument to one that is plucked plays havoc with, for example, sustained phrasing and ornamentation. The opening Concerto for two violins in D minor, BWV1043 requires the contrast of momentum and texture from the continuo section with the drive of the two soloists in bowed overlapping phrases. The tension and release of harmony depends upon the building of such phrases. The Concerto for keyboard in D minor, BWV1052 here fares better, given perhaps that the keyboard intended was also a plucked instrument, the harpsichord.
Although aspects of the original are completely lost here one senses from the outset of this recording that the Grigoryan Brothers achieve everything possible in aiming to overcome these challenges with youthful virtuosity, invention and musicianship. The results are sometimes newly illuminating.
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under Benjamin Northey is a strong partner in this project, though a sameness of stylistic approach and rhetoric, particularly in the Concerto for violin and oboe in C minor, BWV1060R, disappoints.
At 56 minutes and 15 seconds the recording is somewhat lightweight.
There is no information as to what guitars are being played and when nor any listing of the performers other than the soloists. However, the harpsichordist deserves mention for stylish understanding and rapport.
The inclusion of the final, five-minute Arioso-Adagio from Cantata No 156, a ‘swoon’ track par excellence, is no doubt destined for repetition by the ABC’s breakfast programs.
3 stars out of 5: ★★★
Bach Concertos – Grigoryan Brothers
Slava Grigoryan, guitar
Leonard Grigoryan, guitar
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Northey, conductor
ABC Classics
