Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Meditation and Reflection," a captivating collection of classical masterpieces set for release on October 21, 2025, under the esteemed Naxos Special Projects label. Spanning a generous 2 hours and 29 minutes, this album is a testament to Bach's enduring genius, offering a serene and contemplative journey through some of his most profound compositions.
The tracklist is a treasure trove of Bach's finest works, featuring a diverse array of pieces that showcase his unparalleled skill in both composition and performance. From the hauntingly beautiful "Elegy for English Horn, Harp & String Orchestra" to the enchanting "Prelude in B Minor," each track is a masterclass in musical expression. The album also includes beloved pieces such as "Für Elise" and "Nimrod," expertly arranged for various ensembles, adding a fresh perspective to these timeless classics.
Bach's ability to evoke deep emotion and introspection is evident throughout the album. The "Adagio for Cello & Piano" and "Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor" are particularly noteworthy, offering moments of profound reflection and serenity. The inclusion of lesser-known gems like "Koojo No Tsuki" and "Das Lebewohl von Venedig" adds an element of discovery, making this album a delightful exploration of Bach's vast musical repertoire.
Whether you are a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Meditation and Reflection" promises an enriching listening experience. Bach's compositions, performed with exquisite precision and sensitivity, create an atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation that is perfect for relaxation and introspection. This album is a celebration of Bach's enduring legacy, offering a timeless collection of pieces that continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
2025 Naxos Records2025 Naxos Records
Tracks
Elegy for English Horn, Harp & String OrchestraPeter Boyer, Christine Pendrill, Bryn Lewis, London Symphony Orchestra
No. 2, Melody, Post scriptumValentin Silvestrov, Inna Galatenko, Oleg Bezborodko, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Christopher Lyndon-Gee
II. ElegieKemal Belevi, Silvia Grasso, Livio Grasso
No. 2, Shadow No MoreWilliam McClelland, Blair McMillen
No. 3: At an Old Trysting PlaceEdward MacDowell, James Barbagallo
MeditationPaul Lewis, Royal Northern Sinfonia, David Lloyd-Jones
Prelude in B Minor, VL 182aMikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Mūza Rubackytė
No. 17, The Young Bride. Adagio [Original Version]Béla Bartók, Fülöp Ránki
Adagio for Cello & Piano, Op. 97bisSergei Prokofiev, Gabriel Schwabe, Roland Pöntinen
III. AdagioEdward Elgar, Gabriel Schwabe, ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Christopher Ward
IV. SarabandeJohann Sebastian Bach, Jeffrey McFadden
Air in G Minor (Orch. A. Camden)George Frideric Handel, Anthony Camden, City of London Sinfonia, Nicholas Ward
II. AdagioAlessandro Marcello, Jozsef Kiss, Budapest Ferenc Erkel Chamber Orchestra
II. AndanteAntonio Vivaldi, Bela Sztankovitz, Zoltan Tokos, Budapest Strings
No. 1, Preludio saudadeAgustín Barrios Mangoré, Graham Anthony Devine
II. CanzoneVirgilio Mortari, Elisa Netzer
II. Tempo di minuetto con espressione e andanteMuzio Clementi, HyeJin Kim
Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor, WoO 59 "Für Elise"Ludwig van Beethoven, Boris Giltburg
II. CantabileLuigi Boccherini, Christian Benda, Sebastian Benda
II. AdagioLouis Spohr, Ernst Ottensamer, Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannes Wildner
No. 2 Siesta (Slowly, swayingly)Edward MacDowell, James Barbagallo
I. EvocaciónJose Luis Merlin, Jason Vieaux
Prelude in A Minor, Op. 8, VL 188 (Arr. J. Daunytė for Harp)Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Joana Daunytė
Une larme (a Tear)Modest Mussorgsky, Jenő Jandó
Variation 9: Nimrod (Arr. E. Ball for wind ensemble)Edward Elgar, Black Dyke Band, Nicholas Childs
IntermezzoErich Wolfgang Korngold, Holst Sinfonietta, Klaus Simon
No. 7, Floating CloudsTan Dun, Susan Chan
No. 4, Quite Slow and SadEdward Gregson, Murray McLachlan, Rose McLachlan
No. 1Erik Satie, Klara Kormendi
No. 3, Lento placidoFranz Liszt, Philip Thomson
No. 1, ModéréNadia Boulanger, Nicolas Altstaedt, José Gallardo
No. 4, Larghetto, con moto poco rubatoValentin Silvestrov, Elisaveta Blumina, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Sanderling
Nocturne No. 2 in C Minor, H. 25John Field, Benjamin Frith
No. 2 in E-Flat MajorFrédéric Chopin, Idil Biret
No. 5 Adagio sostenutoSergei Rachmaninoff, Boris Giltburg
Preludio for PianoCamillo Togni, Aldo Orvieto
Koojo No TsukiRentaro Taki, Marc Grauwels
No. 26, Dance with Me. AndanteBéla Bartók, Fülöp Ránki
No. 1, LentoTibor Harsanyi, Birgit Ramsl, Gottlieb Wallisch
III. AdagioFerdinand Ries, Jürgen Demmler, Peter Grabinger, Markus Tillier
III. ModeratoClara Schumann, Yoshiko Iwai
I. LargoJean-Marie Leclair, Adrian Butterfield, Sarah McMahon, Silas Wollston
Elegy No. 1 in D MajorGiovanni Bottesini, Andrew Burashko, Joel Quarrington
MelodieMax Reger, Jean Martin
Prelude in F-Sharp Major, Op. 6 No. 1, VL 184 "Viešpaties Angelas" (Arr. J. Daunytė for Harp)Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Joana Daunytė
No. 3, Andante religiosoChristian Sinding, Henning Kraggerud, Christian Ihle Hadland
No. 24 in D MinorManuel Ponce, Adam Holzman
Das Lebewohl von VenedigCarl Filtsch, Hubert Rutkowski
I. PreludeJohann Sebastian Bach, Maria Kliegel
Prelude in G MinorAlessandro De Marchi, Andreas Greger