To watch a live Q&A with pianist Eleonor Bindman discussing the recording of her transcriptions of Bach's Orchestral Suites, click here.

Eleonor Bindman’s new arrangement of Bach’s Orchestral Suites for piano duet follows her widely admired recording of the six Brandenburg Concertos (GP777–78). Once again, the transcription reimagines Bach’s writing using the modern piano, in this case a Bösendorfer. Bindman and her Duo Vivace partner, Susan Sobolewski, draw upon the suite’s dance movements to suggest how Bach might have distributed the material, ordering them for maximum contrast, and succeeding in conveying the music’s vitality and beauty in a new medium.

REVIEW:

This is the world premiere recording of Eleonor Bindman’s arrangement for four hands at one piano of Bach’s four Orchestral Suites. Much like Bindman’s arrangements of the Brandenburg Concertos, this is not a small undertaking. Bindman’s partner for the Brandenburgs was Jenny Lin, and here Susan Sobolewski fills that role admirably. The pianists trade places on the piano bench, so each gets two suites playing the upper part and two playing the lower.

Nothing I heard in these arrangements seemed out of place, and the phrasing and dynamic shaping of the lines were exceptional. This new set is satisfying and very musical. It will give you a fresh look at some of Bach’s greatest works in piano arrangements that work quite well.

-- American Record Guide (James Harrington)