While lessons can be learnt from just about everything Bach composed, many of his pieces were actually written with pedagogic purposes in mind - specifically for the benefit of his sons and his other students. Those on these discs are taken from 'ascribed' sources such as the Wilhelm Friedemann Bach book, and manuscripts in the collections possessed by his students and others. The majority date from his time in Cothen, and some are earlier versions of published works (or movements from them) such as the Chromatic Fantasia (BWV903), the Kleine Praludien (BWV933-38) and items that later appeared sea-changed in the 48, Book 2. Many are described by Schmieder as angezweifelt (of dubious ascription) but here given the benefit of such doubt as may remain today. Be that as it may, we are given the rare (in many cases unique) opportunity to hear them and, if so inclined, compare earlier and later forms of given pieces.
If they are to be regarded as instructional, the items cover a wide range of demand and would inhabit several of anyone's system of defined grades. At the same time they are merciless, even at the lower end of the spectrum in calling for difficult left-hand ornaments. Whatever the demands, Robert Hill meets them comfortably in all respects and if the works were officially 'graded' these discs would serve well as examples to guide aspiring students. He plays them on reproductions of two instruments that were beloved of Bach himself, the majority on a lute-harpsichord and the rest on a clavichord, both reconstructed with the aid of contemporary information. To hear the Chromatic Fantasia on the clavichord is a strange but pleasant experience, rather like looking at a distant Mount Everest through a telescope, and as this was Bach's favourite domestic instrument, may it not have been heard thus in his own time? The recording of the clavichord is also welcomely and unusually free from intrusive mechanical noise.
Here then is an album of unusual interest, illuminated by splendid performances and copious annotation, and with the benefit of well- engineered recording.
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