Meetings with Bach
Sylvius Leopold Weiss (1687-1780)/Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Suite in A major BWV 1025
Johann Sebastian Bach
Suite in G minor BWV 1008
Carl Philip Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Sonata for Flute Solo in C minor Wq.132
Dohyo Sol (lute)
Emilie Roos (flute, recorder)
rec. 2022, Tjörnaro church, Höör, Sweden
Proprius PRCD2098 [67]

In addition to quality of performance, the sonic excellence of recorded music can significantly enhance enjoyment. While it is not the only organization to pursue this philosophy, sonic excellence has been at the forefront of recordings by Proprius for more than three decades. Globally, Proprius may not be a well-known name, but among audiophiles their recordings are highly valued; releases such as Cantate Domino (PRSACD 7762) have been used to demonstrate high-end audio equipment.

The review CD presents three works by Baroque composers, and of the three compositions, JS Bach’s Suite in G minor for solo cello, will probably be the better known to most listeners, being a transcription of the original for lute by the composer. Bach’s sonata for violin and harpsichord is based on Weiss’s Sonata for lute in A major to which Bach later added an upper line as well as an opening fantasie.

The two musicians in this recording are presented as soloists in each of the two suites, and as a duo in BWV 1025. The two different instruments, each with their strengths and individual virtues, blend together superbly in this recording, evoking an atmosphere of learning and erudition. Contributing to this impression may be the ease with which one can imagine the music being played in a Baroque chapel or library.

Dohyo Sol studied music in Stockholm’s Royal College of Music, the Koninklijk Conservatorium of The Hague, and the Royal College of Music, Copenhagen. He is considered one of Sweden’s most successful musicians in his area of speciality, which is lute and early plucked instruments. His expertise spans the Baroque and Renaissance lute, theorbo, Baroque guitar and Baroque mandolin. He appears in more than twenty CD recordings as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Emelie Roos studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and Stockholm’s Royal College of Music. Additionally, she completed complementary studies in pedagogics, classical singing, and literature. She has been awarded multiple scholarships from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. Emilie Roos is highly regarded as one of Sweden’s foremost recorder virtuosi.

The playing on this CD is exemplary, be it in the capacity of soloist or as Duo SolRoos, which the musicians formed after they met while studying at the Stockholm Royal College of Music. The combination of repertory, excellent musicianship, and recording excellence endows their performances with an air of dignity, and majesty. Again, it is easy to imagine hearing this music being played in a splendid Baroque chapel or library.

For this recording, Dohyo Sol plays a 13-course Baroque lute by Lars Jönsson based on instruments by Widhalm; also an 11-course Baroque lute by Lars Jönsson based on an originals of Frei. Emilie Roos plays a Voice flute by Nikolaj Ronimus after Bressan; also an alto recorder by the same maker after Bressan. Such is the sonic quality of this recording that listeners will hear Roos draw breath at the anticipated places in the music; beautiful realism emulating being present.

Zane Turner

Buying this recording via a link below generates revenue for MWI, which helps the site remain free