Sinfonia No. 5 in E flat by JS Bach BWV 791 on Nikolaus Damm JN Bach harpsichord copy

Bach's Sinfonia in E flat BWV 791 is the most unusual of the Sinfonias and one of Bach’s most unusual keyboard works. It is constructed as a canonic dialogue between the upper two voices over a non-thematic arpeggiated bass. Given the character I have split the performance between the two keyboards of the harpsichord with a lute stop for the arpeggiated accompaniment. There are two versions of this piece, one a plain one and the other highly decorated by Bach (and it is this second version that is performed here). Keeping the flow going while executing the complicated ornaments are a particular challenge, particular in the inner voice. Overall a unique Bach essay in trio sonata texture for keyboard.