Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his six sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord around 1725. His son Carl Philipp Emanuel regarded them among his father’s best works, especially appreciating the lyrical slow movements. Bach probably wrote the sonatas for a large harpsichord with a 16-foot register, and such an instrument will be used in Radovljica.

Instead of Erich Höbarth, who had to cancel his participation due to health problems, the distinguished French violinist François Fernandez will perform the same programme, the complete set of six sonatas. François is a well-known soloist, chamber musician, member of the Ricercar Consort, and concertmaster of several baroque orchestras. He has recorded a number of solo CDs, including Bach’s solo sonatas and partitas. His recording of Bach’s sonatas with obligato harpsichord with Benjamin Alard was released in 2012.

François Fernandez baroque violin

Aapo Häkkinen harpsichord