Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst has released a new album of music by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Some of the pieces are deeply poignant, some are quite jazzy — even playful — and others are more straightforward.
Each one brings a fresh arrangement and sound to what is familiar and beloved music — the “Air on the G String,” some of the keyboard Inventions played by students over the centuries, and a gorgeous meditation on the “Ave Maria/Prelude in C,” among others.
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For the project, Fröst restored an old wooden chapel in the Swedish countryside and converted it into a recording studio. The arrangements pair the beautiful tone of his clarinet with one or more instrumentalists, including cellist Anastasia Kobekina, violist Göran Fröst (Martin Fröst’s younger brother), lutenist Jonas Nordberg playing the theorbo and bassist Sebastien Dubé. Pianist Benny Andersson from the band ABBA plays on the final track.
The sound of acoustic instruments in that wooden chapel playing well-crafted, deeply felt arrangements is simply luminous in places; really moving.
B.A.C.H is the album’s title, which stands for Beyond All Clarinet History, inspired by past performance programs. It’s out on the Sony Classical label.
