Bach: Ouvertüre nach Französischer Art, BWV 831 / Sarabande con Partite, BWV 990 / Englische Suite Nr. 6 d-Moll, BWV 811 Nils Anders Mortensen

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Overture in the French style, BWV 831:
• 1 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Overture 06:44
• 2 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Courante 02:02
• 3 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Gavotte I/II 02:59
• 4 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Passepied I/II 02:36
• 5 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Sarabande 03:42
• 6 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Bourrée I/II 02:13
• 7 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Gigue 02:13
• 8 Overture in the French style, BWV 831: Echo 02:53
• Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990:
• 9 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Sarabande 01:52
• 10 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. I 01:45
• 11 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. II 00:58
• 12 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. III 01:07
• 13 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. IV 00:56
• 14 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. V 00:56
• 15 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. VI 01:59
• 16 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. VII 00:51
• 17 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. VIII 00:52
• 18 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. IX 00:50
• 19 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. X 02:05
• 20 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. XI 01:30
• 21 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. XII: Allemande 01:35
• 22 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. XIII: Courante 01:07
• 23 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. XIV 00:37
• 24 Sarabande con partite in C Major, BWV 990: Var. XV: L’ultima Partita o Giguetta 00:48
• English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811:
• 25 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Prelude 08:55
• 26 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Allemande 03:46
• 27 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Courante 02:09
• 28 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Saraband 02:15
• 29 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Double 03:09
• 30 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Gavotte 03:24
• 31 English Suite No. 6 in D Minor, BWV 811: Gigue 03:12
• Total Runtime 01:12:00

Info for Bach: Ouvertüre nach Französischer Art, BWV 831 / Sarabande con Partite, BWV 990 / Englische Suite Nr. 6 d-Moll, BWV 811

One thing on which many agree is that Bach was doubtless the greatest composer of them all. Schumann noted in his diary that "Johann Sebastian Bach has done everything completely", and in Mahler's words "In Bach all the vital cells of music are united as the world is in God; there has never been any polyphony greater than this."

Bach's works are universal and essentially independent of the instrument the performer is playing. But the use of a modern grand piano is a challenge and can require an adaptation of resources and ideas. The Overture in the French Style, BWV 831, the Sixth English Suite, BWV 811, and the lesser known Sarabande con partite, BWV 990 are three works in which the original instrument with two or three manuals influences the composition to a considerable extent. Pianist Nils Anders Mortensen uses various approaches to the music, with a nod at times to the historical instruments, or an affirmation of the modern grand piano's inherent possibilities, while at other times he plays with different styles.

The Overture in the French Style represents the culmination of Bach's encounter with French music and captures the most essential elements of French harmony, rhythm, ornamentation and form. The Sarabande variations are appealing and uncomplicated. The English Suite in D minor (with the notation in the score "Written for the English", but not composed in the English style) has a marvellously monumental prelude before the French dance movements.

With his critically acclaimed recordings and his soloist appearances with the principal Norwegian orchestras, Nils Anders Mortensen has established himself as one of Norway's leading pianists. Employed as state musician in Finnmark County, he is also active as a freelance artist. This is Mortensen's third solo album on the LAWO Classics label. In addition, he has recorded eight albums with mezzo-soprano Marianne Beate Kielland, and two duo releases with double bassist Knut Erik Sundquist and violinist Arvid Engegård, respectively.

Nils Anders Mortensen, piano

Nils Anders Mortensen
was the recipient of the prestigious "Concerts Norway Debutant of the Year" award for 1996. This in turn led to a recital tour of of Norway and a debut concert in the Great Hall of the University of Oslo. He performed in the USA and Germany after winning the Sicilian IBLA Grand Prize piano competition. In 1998 he won the Mozarteum Prize in Salzburg.Mortensen has appeared as soloist with Norway's leading orchestras. He performed Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra during the tradition-rich, festive closing concert of the 1998 Bergen International Festival. He repeated the performance with the Oslo Philharmonic in 2000. He has played at chamber music festivals in Stavanger, Oslo, Lofoten, and Risør, among others. He recorded the piano concertos of Geirr Tveitt with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. In recent years, Mortensen has made recordings as a chamber musician, exploring the Norwegian repertoire, both new and old. His solo album "Im Freien", with music of Debussy, Grieg, and Bartok, was released in 2012. His recording "Veslemøy Synsk" with Marianne Beate Kielland received a Grammy nomination. He has contributed to many recordings of Norwegian Radio and Television (NRK).Mortensen received the Robert Levin Memorial Prize at the 2004 Bergen International Festival. At the 2006 festival he was soloist for Olav Anton Thommessen's "Glassperlespill", which was performed for the first time in its entirety.Nils Anders Mortensen was born in Flekkefjord in 1971 and began playing piano at age three. In 1986 he won the Norwegian Young Pianist Competition. He studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music, École Normale in Paris, and Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover. His most important teachers have been Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, Tatjana Nikolajeva, and Hans Leygraf.

This album contains no booklet.