Claves Record

Kei Koito: Bach Masterpieces – vol. 1

After her magnificent Buxtehude boxed-set in 2007 (CD 50-2704/06), Japanese organist Kei Koito pursues her collaboration with Claves Records by laying the foundation stone of a cycle dedicated to masterpieces by Johann-Sebastian Bach. Recorded in June 2009 on the organ of the Groningen Martinikerk in the Netherlands, she presents an anthology of – as ever - most carefully selected pieces. Original scores such as the Preludes and Fugues BWV 543, 548 et 743, the chorals "Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier" and "Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele", and the Partita "Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig", but also transcriptions by Bach (Adagio from the Sonata for violin and harpsichord BWV 1016) and by herself (Trio in G from the Sonata for viola di gamba and harpsichord BWV 1027). Kei Keito excels in them, showing to those who had not yet encountered it her very special affinity with the St-Thomas cantor. She founded a Bach Festival in 1997 in Lausanne (where she lives), Festival that has become a reference in the matter.