It was supposed to be a music duel of all times. In autumn 1717, at the court of Augustus the Strong (1670–1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), an organist from Weimar, was to compete with Louise Marchand (1669–1732), organist and harpsichordist at the court of Louise XIV. Alas, as the story has it, Marchand got cold feet: in fear of losing, he fled Dresden under the cover of darkness. So, it is impossible to say which of the competitors was the master of the French style.
Will the harpsichord recital organised by the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków and performed by Ewa Mrowca help us decide?
Louis Marchand Suite en ré mineur (1702): Prelude – Allemande – Courante – Courante – Sarabande – Gigue – Chaconne – Gavote Rondeau – Menuet
Louis Marchand Suite en sol mineur (1703): Prelude – Allemande – Courante – Sarabande – Gigue – Gavotte – Menuet – Menuet Rondeau
Johann Sebastian Bach French Suite in E flat major BWV 815: Allemande – Courante – Sarabande – Gavotte – Menuet – Air- Gigue
Johann Sebastian Bach French Suite in G major BWV 816: Allemande – Courante – Sarabande – Gavotte – Bourrée – Loure – Gigue
Ewa Mrowca harpsichord
