Concert Review | Bach Reinvented: A Successful Experimentation

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On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Montreal Bach Festival hosted Vincent Lauzer, (recorder player), and Dorothéa Ventura (harpsichordist), as part of their Off Bach programming. The duo presented an unusual program at Espace Wip, which consisted of three suites, recomposed using various dance movements by J. S. Bach.

Sprinkled with some “Trous normands”, according to the humorously charming explanation given by the two Baroque music specialists, the program included two Sinfonias from Cantatas BWV 35 and 156, and a movement from Benedetto Marcello’s concerto, transcribed by Bach himself (BWV 974). According to Lauzer, the attending audience served as guinea pigs for this “musical experiment.”

The initial notes played by the two musicians appeased any suspicions raised by such a seemingly eclectic program. The camaraderie between them, their perfect mastery of stylistic principles, the wonderful warm sound of their instruments, the tasteful tempos, the infectious rhythmic drive, not to mention their splendid virtuosity, captivated the audience. Each dance selected from the vast repertoire of the German master flowed naturally into the next. Listeners recognized famous excerpts from the French suites for harpsichord, solo violin partitas, or cello suites.

Given the precision and unparalleled technical refinement of Bach’s writing, recreating the harmonic accompaniment on the harpsichord was a challenge, according to Ventura. She gave no indication of the difficulty in her clear, expressive, playing. Her talents as a soloist were highlighted in the Concerto in D minor BWV 974. Meanwhile, Lauzer transported his audience with his immense interpretive talents to musical heights rarely heard in concert.

The concert brought unparalleled richness and freshness from a stylistic, rhythmic, and technical perspective, as well as through the obvious camaraderie between Ventura and Lauzer. The audience was witness to a unique musical experience, undoubtedly in accordance with authentic Baroque practices. A treasure hopefully to be rediscovered next year!