Starting the new year with Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the most skilful arrangers of his own works. Whether for practical reasons or because he enjoyed parody or transcription, he imbued the use of existing musical material with new significance. Among the many »recycled« works is the Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1055, originally composed for the oboe d’amore. Playing it today on a modern grand piano is a conscious decision on Kit Armstrong’s part to realise his own artistic vision. 

It is therefore no surprise that Kit Armstrong describes himself not only as a pianist, but also as a harpsichordist, organist and composer, and that he is also passionate about mathematics, origami and artificial intelligence. In France, he owns a former Art Deco-style church, where regular concerts and festivals are held. With his version of Bach’s chorales and cantatas, as well as the sonata by Johann Christian, the »London« son of Bach, which was so influential in the development of the genre, he shed light on new facets, for as a musician with a spirit of inquiry, he is »always on the lookout for sounds that cannot be forgotten.«