Sergio Vartolo (harpsichord)
Maddalena Vartolo (harpsichord)

Though unfinished at his death, Johann Sebastian Bach’s The Art of Fugue is both his musical last testament and a cornerstone of Western composition.

At once a miracle of intellectual achievement, musical invention, technical challenges and emotional power, The Art of Fugue draws on all of Bach’s resources as a master of counterpoint.

It is here performed, as the composer apparently intended, on harpsichord, by Sergio Vartolo who uses his own recently-published facsimile edition of the autograph score, and of the engraved first edition (1751/1752).

“Vartolo brings this music to life with a rhythmically flexible performance and a sharp articulation that makes those hewn themes really stand out.” The Times on 8.553547-48