CD 1:
Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001
Violin Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003

CD 2:
Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1005
Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006

It was not until I picked up my violin and played a few movements of solo Bach, one winter's evening at home, that the essence of the composer finally permeated my being. I felt an almost mystical unity with the music that I'd never experienced before. Because there are already so many fabulous recordings of Bach, I asked myself "What can I still add to this?" What surprised me, however, was that the wide diversity of approach was actually a great source of inspiration to me rather than being in any way off-putting. Apparently, the possibilities of Bach's music are inexhaustible. This is what gave me the courage I needed to issue a new recording.

To me, the narrative power of Bach's music means that it can sound like new in every era and in every performance. People's opinions of Bach are constantly changing and will continue to do so in the future. My recording of Bach is an interpretation of my vision of his music up until now, and I have striven for authenticity by remaining true to my personal vision, without making it a predominant feature.

Bob van der Ent

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Recorded at Muziekcentrum van de Omroep, Hilversum (the Netherlands), 7-8 June and 12-13 September 2019. He plays an violin by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume from 1828, modelled after Stradivarius with gut strings & Baroque bow.