David Fray, the acclaimed French pianist known for his distinctive and deeply personal interpretations, presents "Baroque Encores," a captivating collection of Baroque masterpieces meticulously arranged for solo piano. Released on November 14, 2025, under Warner Classics, this album is a testament to Fray's virtuosity and his unique ability to breathe new life into timeless compositions.
Spanning a rich duration of 1 hour and 25 minutes, "Baroque Encores" features a diverse array of works by some of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque era, including Bach, Scarlatti, Handel, and Rameau. The album showcases David Fray's exceptional artistry through a blend of original compositions and masterful transcriptions, offering a fresh perspective on these classical gems.
From the intricate and soulful "Andante" from Bach's Organ Sonata No. 4 to the delicate and enchanting "Le rappel des oiseaux" by Rameau, each piece is performed with a level of technical precision and emotional depth that is characteristic of Fray's playing. The album also includes notable transcriptions, such as those by Kempff, Siloti, and Busoni, which highlight Fray's versatility and his ability to adapt these works for the solo piano.
"Baroque Encores" is not just a collection of individual pieces but a cohesive journey through the Baroque period, revealing the intricate beauty and timeless appeal of these compositions. David Fray's nuanced interpretations and expressive playing make this album a compelling addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, "Baroque Encores" promises an enriching and delightful listening experience.
Bach, JS: Organ Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, BWV 528: II. Andante (Transcr. Stradal for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Rameau: Deuxième livre de pièces de clavecin, Suite en mi: V. Le rappel des oiseauxJean-Philippe Rameau, David Fray
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in B Minor, Kk. 87Domenico Scarlatti, David Fray
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, Kk. 1Domenico Scarlatti, David Fray
Scarlatti, D: Keyboard Sonata in F Minor, Kk. 466Domenico Scarlatti, David Fray
Bach, JS: French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815: I. AllemandeJohann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Keyboard Suite in F Minor, BWV 823: II. Sarabande en rondeauJohann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Couperin, F: Second livre de pièces de clavecin, Sixième ordre: V. Les baricades mistérieusesFrançois Couperin, David Fray
Handel: Keyboard Suite in G Minor, HWV 434: IV. Minuet (Arr. Kempff for Solo Piano)George Frideric Handel, David Fray
Royer: Premier livre de pièces de clavecin: No. 6, L'aimableJoseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer, David Fray
Royer: Premier livre de pièces de clavecin: No. 11, Le vertigoJoseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer, David Fray
Bach, JS: Flute Sonata in E-Flat Major, BWV 1031: II. Siciliano (Arr. Kempff for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir, BWV 29: Sinfonia (Arr. Kempff for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air (Arr. Siloti for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Das Orgel-Büchlein: No. 41, Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 (Arr. Busoni for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Pastorale in F Major, BWV 590: III. AriaJohann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Organ Sonata No. 5 in C Major, BWV 529: II. Largo (Arr. Feinberg for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante (Arr. Monsaingeon for Solo Piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray
Bach, JS: Harpsichord Concerto in D Major, BWV 972: II. Larghetto (After Vivaldi's Violin Concerto, Op. 3 No. 9, RV 230)Johann Sebastian Bach, David Fray