For those unaware, Jeannette Sorrell, the celebrated founder-director of Cleveland-based Baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire, first fell in love with the harpsichord upon hearing three masterpieces by Johann Sebastian Bach: the composer’s concertos in D Minor, BWV1052 and F Minor, BWV1056, and his Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (for Harpsichord, flute & violin).

Jeannette and Apollo’s Fire recorded these works between 1999-2004, with the subsequent 2010 album release debuting on the Top 10 of Billboard’s Traditional Classical Albums Chart. This 25th anniversary reissue (due out October 18th, 2024 via AVIE Records) brings together a new program of Jeannette’s favorite Bach harpsichord concertos.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750)
Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052
I. [Allegro]
II. Adagio
III. Allegro

Violin I: Cynthia Roberts, Chris Verrette, Naomi Guy, Dongmyung Ahn
Violin II: David Greenberg, Cheryl Trace, Thomas Georgi
Viola: Daniel Elyar, Elizabeth Holzman
Cello: Reinmar Seidler, Ann Marie Morgan
Contrabass: Sue Yelanjian

Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056
I. Allegro moderato
II. Largo
III. Presto

Violin I: Cynthia Roberts, Emlyn Ngai, Naomi Guy, Cheryl Trace
Violin II: David Greenberg, Rachel Evans, Dongmyung Ahn Viola: Nicole Divall, Elizabeth Holzman
Cello: Reinmar Seidler, Ann Marie Morgan
Contrabass: Sue Yelanjian

Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 for Harpsichord, Flute & Violin in D Major, BWV 1050
I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro

Flauto traverso: Michael Lynn
Violino principale: Cynthia Roberts
Violin: Miho Hashizume, Lisa Ferguson, Naomi Guy, Allison Edberg
Viola: Nicole Divall, Peter Bucknell
Cello: Ann Marie Morgan
Contrabass: Sue Yelanjian

Jeannette Sorrell, harpsichord & direction
Apollo’s Fire on period instruments

This dutifully elegant, sublimely sculpted new recording opens on the stellar Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052, with the flourishing Allegro leading the way, backed amiably by the stealth within Adagio, and closes on the fleet of foot Allegro.

Along next is the magnificent Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056, which itself begins on the emboldened Allegro moderato, then brings us the lighter fare of Largo, culminating on the free flowing majesties within Presto; and then comes the all-embracing third, and final piece, the delightful Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 for Harpsichord, Flute & Violin in D Major, BWV 1050, opening on the soaring Allegro, then comes the lavishly embroidered Affettuoso, the work, and the recording, closing on the veritably impish Allegro.

Recorded at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio (1–3) recorded in October 2002, (4–6) recorded in May 2004
(7–9) recorded in October 1999

Official Purchase Link

Official Jeannette Sorrell Website

Official Apollo’s Fire Website