Bach To Black: Suites For Piano, Volume III
Albany, 2024
9/10
Listen to Bach To Black: Suites For Piano, Volume III
The 3rd installment of this series that showcases the suites of Johann Sebastian Bach and black composers, the inimitable pianist Rochelle Sennet brings us world premiere recordings of compositions by Adolphus Hailstork and James Lee II, plus many others.
Bach’s “French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV817” starts the listen with Sennet’s swift and dynamic keys flowing with much agility and precision, and “Five Friends: Suite for Piano”, by Hailstork, brings a dramatic flair to the mesmerizing delivery of lively key progressions.
Further along, “Four Moorish Pictures: An Eastern Suite” emits much intimacy and grace in the Montague Ring piece that’s got a hint of mystery, while Betty Jackson King’s “Four Seasonal Sketches” radiates via a dreamy atmosphere of meticulous piano that’s rich and timeless in nature.
Arriving near the end, the dizzying “French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV814” has Sennet interpreting the Bach piece with wonder and awe, and “Spiritual Suite for Piano” exits the listen, where the Margaret Bonds original radiates tremendous emotion and thoughtfulness.
Dr. Sennet’s resume includes being an esteemed performer, teacher, and scholar who has played all over the U.S. and Russia, and this exceptional series continues to impress with each new chapter.
Travels well with: Steven Holochwost- Dialogues & Meditations; Patrick Yim- New Waves