In A Bach Recital, guitarist Paulo Martelli presents the result of over a decade of research dedicated to adapting the music of Johann Sebastian Bach for the 11-string guitar — an instrument that dramatically expands the tonal and contrapuntal possibilities of the classical guitar.
Introduced to the instrument by luthier Samuel Carvalho, Martelli found in the alto guitar an ideal medium to express Bach’s structural depth and expressive balance. The result is a recording that blends historical awareness with interpretative freedom and a rich, immersive sound.
The program centers on Bach’s Cöthen period and features masterpieces such as the Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008, presented with remarkable balance between fidelity to the original and idiomatic guitar writing.
Also featured is the Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001, one of Bach’s most perfect works, reimagined with expanded polyphonic possibilities — particularly in the famous Fugue, enriched using Bach’s own organ version BWV 539.
The album includes deeply expressive transcriptions such as the Adagio BWV 974 (after Alessandro Marcello) and the Adagio BWV 1056, where Martelli recreates the dialogue between soloist and orchestra on a single instrument.
The contrapuntal brilliance of Bach is further showcased in the Sinfonia BWV 795, while the album closes with a refined performance of the Minuet HWV 434 by George Frideric Handel, inspired by the piano version of Wilhelm Kempff.
✨ An essential album for listeners seeking depth, refinement, and a fresh perspective on Bach.
🎧 Add this album to your collection and experience Bach in a whole new dimension.
TRACKLIST:
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, Sonata BWV 1001
01 I.Adagio 3’46”
02 II.Fuga 5’14”
03 III.Siciliana 3’29”
04 IV.Presto 4’44”
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
05 Sinfonia, BWV 795 4’27”
06 Adagio, BWV 974 4’26”
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, Suite BWV 1008
07 I. Prelude 4’08”
08 II. Allemande 3’21”
09 III. Courante 2’08”
10 IV. Sarabande 4’30”
11 V. Minuet I & II 2’51”
12 VI. Gigue 2’33”
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
13 Adagio, BWV 1056 3’22”
Bonus track:
G.F. HANDEL
Minuet HWV 434 4’54”
Total time:: 53min25s
* All works arranged for 11 string guitar by Paulo Martelli
Product Content (Download)
An original CD in digital format
Digital booklet
Brasil
Estados Unidos
