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NICOLAS DAUTRICOURT & JUHO POHJONEN 17
How does one go about tackling the music of Bach in front of the
microphones?
Nicolas Dautricourt:
To record the music of Bach, it seems to me necessary to
have achieved a certain stylistic synthesis, because the classical style raises many
questions and touches on a wide variety of interpretative traditions. You must
have enough confidence in yourself and, at some point, you have to say that you’re
ready. That’s why we really enjoyed making this recording. In this repertory – but
isn’t it the case in almost all repertories? – you can’t cheat. Bach’s music is ‘naked’
and for me it remains a mystery.
For this recording, I put my trust in just a few simple things: the unconditional
love I have for this music, but also the necessity of not crossing the line into bad
taste, and of using the modern techniques I’ve learned in the best possible way. In
sum, I needed to remain humble, and to try to reveal the work without wanting to
dominate it. That meant appropriating the text and seeking out our own narrative.
In short, going beyond the barlines!
Juho Pohjonen:
Bach holds a very special place in my repertoire. I have studied
and played his music throughout my career. Understanding Bach is one of the keys
to approaching any other composer, because his musical legacy has permeated all
those who followed him.