
BACH
6 Sonatas for recorder
Unlike the other landmark collections that came from Bach’s pen, the six flute sonatas all appear to have been “one offs” with no particular plan for publication as a set. Further, in contrast to the collections for solo strings, Bach’s chamber music for flute was written comparatively late in his career, the earliest, the Sonata in E minor BWV1034, probably a product of Bach’s early Leipzig years (mid-1720s) and the latest, the Sonata in E major for flute and continuo BWV1035, is believed to have been written during the last decade of composer’s life for Frederick the Great.
In honor of OUR Recordings’ 40th Release, Michala Petri could scarcely choose a more exciting program than a return visit to Bach’s Flute Sonatas; Michala’s famous 1992 recording with Keith Jarrett has long since attained legendary status. Just as her collaboration with Jarrett unveiled a ‘new-born’ approach to Bach, this new recording is likewise revelatory and... transcendent. Joining Michala on this journey is an early music dream team: harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, rightly regarded as one of the fiercest of the younger generation of clavecinistes, playing his new Jukka Ollikka harpsichord, and Hille Perl, one of the world’s leading and most beloved viola da gambists rounding out the continuo unit.
As we’ve come to expect from OUR Recordings, the sonics and packaging are extraordinary, thanks to the producer Preben Iwan and booklet notes by Mahan Esfahani. This new recording of the Bach “Flute” Sonatas is destined to become a reference edition of this famous works.



Reviews
January 21, 2022
Mit der Grande Dame der Blockflöte in den Barock,
Angela Wilms-Adrians, Rheinische Post,
June 7, 2021
The Consort (UK) Though embracing elements of historically informed performance, the sonatas presented here can also be considered as 'modern' readings.
Andrew Mayes,
February 16, 2020
Planet Hugill Blogg "In performances of such engaging quality that I shall certainly be listening to the CD again and again".
Hugill, Planet Hugill Blogg
February 3, 2020
Gramophone (UK) " is performed with the utmost sincerity and seriousness of approach"
David Threasher, Gramophone
February 1, 2020
BBC Music Magazine (UK) "And in following suit Michala Petri makes the music sound entirely at home on her family of instruments, with her bright tone, precise crisp and even tonguing".
Anthony Burton
December 30, 2019
Classical Modern Music. Blogspot.com (UK) "It is a benchmark surely for these works, filled with beauty and wonder".
Grego Applegate Edwards- Classical Modern Music. Blogspot.com
December 28, 2019
Klassik Heute (Germany)"10/10/10 Unbedingte Kaufempfehlung!".
Thomas Baack - Klassik Heute
December 18, 2019
Recorder Magazine (UK) "Petri plays with her usual clarity and precision"
Recorder Magazine (UK)
December 17, 2019
Klassik.com (Germany) "..tolle Kammermusikformation hat sich da zusammengefunden: Petri, Perl und Esfahani musizieren intensiv, schlüssig und inspiriert. Diese Drei haben ihren Bach verstanden".
Dr. Matthias Lange - Klassik.com (Germany)
December 15, 2019
Early Music America, US "Tour De Force Reprise Of Bach Flute Sonatas"
Karen Cook, Early Music America, US