James Ehnes, Luc Beausejour - J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, Vol. 2 (2006)

There are two reasons to check out this disc of Bach's sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord. The first reason is that it features recordings of all three versions of the G major Sonata -- the first five-movement version with three slow movements surrounded by the same Presto, the second six-movement version with two new movements that didn't appear in the first version, and the third and final five-movement version with three new movements that didn't appear in the two preceding versions. This plethora of possibilities will give the listener the opportunity to hear Bach's thoughts on the work grow and change over time. The second reason is that it features the playing of the Canadian violinist and harpsichord duo of James Ehnes and Luc Beauséjour, as elegant and expressive a duo as has ever recorded Bach's sonatas. For a period violinist, Ehnes has not only a brilliant technique and an unerring sense of intonation, but also a sweet tone and a warm way with a phrase. And for a harpsichordist, Beauséjour has not only a supple technique and a lively sense of rhythm, but also a robust tone and a winning way as a continuo player. Together, their performances are as persuasive as the best period instrument performances ever committed to disc. Listeners who enjoy this disc will want to hear Ehnes and Beauséjour's previous disc of Bach's sonatas. Analekta's digital sound is deep and detailed, but a bit too close and, oddly, a tad too cool.