W. F. Bach: Six Sonatas for Two Flutes

01. Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Major, F. 59: I. Allegro ma non troppo
02. Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Major, F. 59: II. Cantabile
03. Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Major, F. 59: III. Alla breve
04. Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Major, F. 59: IV. Gigue: Allegro
05. Flute Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat Major, F. 55: I. Allegro
06. Flute Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat Major, F. 55: II. Adagio ma non molto
07. Flute Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat Major, F. 55: III: Presto
08. Flute Sonata No. 4 in F Major, F. 57: I. Allegro e moderato
09. Flute Sonata No. 4 in F Major, F. 57: II. Lamentabile
10. Flute Sonata No. 4 in F Major, F. 57: III. Presto
11. Flute Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, F. 54: I. [Allegro]
12. Flute Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, F. 54: II. Larghetto
13. Flute Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, F. 54: III. Vivace
14. Duetto No. 5 for Two Flutes in E-Flat Major, F. 56: I. Un poco allegro
15. Duetto No. 5 for Two Flutes in E-Flat Major, F. 56: II. Largo
16. Duetto No. 5 for Two Flutes in E-Flat Major, F. 56: III. Vivace
17. Duetto No. 6 For Two Flutes in F Minor, F. 58: I. Un poco allegro
18. Duetto No. 6 For Two Flutes in F Minor, F. 58: II. Largo
19. Duetto No. 6 For Two Flutes in F Minor, F. 58: III. Vivace

In a century that saw many illustrious French and German composers write for two flutes, the six sonatas of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach stand out as the most significant, complex and technically demanding of this repertoire. Ever since they were rediscovered and published almost a century ago, they have become a staple part of the flute catalogue, appreciated and performed on both historic and modern instruments. Viewing it as the quintessential work of Friedemann’s creative output, the specialist Peter Wollny even sees it as a summa of his entire production, full of quotations and reminiscences of his previous works. After the album devoted to the sonatas of C.P.E. Bach (A537, Diapason d’or), Manuel Granatiero, accompanied by the Italo-Croatian flautist Eleonora Bišćević, now turns his attention to this masterpiece by Johann Sebastian Bach’s eldest son. Arriving some thirty-five years after the first, and only, recorded version on period instruments (by Barthold Kuijken and Marc Hantaï), this new recording offers a fresh perspective on music of extraordinary brilliance, passion and virtuosity.