Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079 (arr. Raaf Hekkema)
14 Canons, BWV 1087 (arr. Raaf Hekkema)
Canonische Veränderungen über Vom Himmel hoch, BWV 769 (arr. Raaf Hekkema)

The Dutch reed quintet Calefax celebrates 35 years of adventurous and versatile musicianship with a collection of Musical Offerings from Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by the ensemble’s saxophonist Raaf Hekkema. Arthur Klaassens joins the ensemble on a lupophone and english horn for Musikalisches Opfer, the main course of this programme, as well as for the 14 Canons, BWV 1087, further expanding the ensemble’s sonic palette. The album concludes with Bach's Canonic variations on Vom Himmel hoch. All nine know versions of the melody have found a place in Raaf’s arrangement, resulting in a many-coloured Christmas collage. Each of the five Vom Himmel Hoch variations is preceded by one or more older chorales.

Bach’s Musical Offerings is Calefax’ third PENTATONE release, after the well- received Dido & Aeneazz (2019), a virtuosic and eclectic recomposition of Purcell’s famous opera performed with trumpetist Eric Vloeimans, as well as Hidden Gems (2018), showcasing the quintet’s versatility with pieces ranging from Corelli and Satie to Nina Simone.

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This album was recorded at Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, the Netherlands, in June 2020.