Althea Ifeka
Oboe, Oboe d'Amore & Cor Anglais
Soloist
FROM LEIPZIG TO LONDON
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Duo Sonatas from the 18th and 20th centuries by J.S. Bach and modern British composers
Althea Ifeka, oboe, oboe d'amore, cor anglais
Katharine May, harpsichord
Gordon Jacob Sonatina for oboe and harpsichord (1963)
J.S. Bach Sonata in D-major BWV 1028 for oboe d'amore and harpsichord
Stephen Dodgson Suite in D for oboe and harpsichord (1972)
J.S. Bach Sonata in G-major BWV 1027 for cor anglais and harpsichord
Elizabeth Maconchy Three Bagatelles for oboe and harpsichord (1972)
J.S. Bach Sonata in G-minor BWV 1020 for oboe and harpsichord
Michael Head Siciliana for oboe and harpsichord (1972)
Oboe Classics CC2013
This CD explores the innovative role of J.S. Bach in creating the earliest duo sonatas, by presenting three sonatas now known to date from his Leipzig period performed on the oboe, oboe d'amore and cor anglais and harpsichord. The demise of the oboe as a solo instrument and the complete demise of the harpsichord during the nineteenth century were overturned in the twentieth as both instruments made impressive comebacks. The four modern pieces were inspired by the duo partnership of Evelyn Rothwell (Lady Barbirolli), oboe and Valda Aveling, harpsichord, and form a powerful overview of the different compositional styles at work in London in the mid to late twentieth century.
The CD contains a 24-page booklet which includes a history of the instruments and the two time periods, composer and artist biographies, photographs, and original interview quotes from Lady Barbirolli and Stephen Dodgson.