This recording by the eminent harpsichordist Eleonore Bühler-Kestler is one of two to feature the Toccatas of J.S. Bach. The other album (CHA3042) covers BWV 910-912 (as well as the Fantasia and Fugue in A minor), whilst this one is devoted to the four Toccatas, BWV 913-916. After a break from performing of some 17 years following the tragic death of her husband, the highly regarded harpsichordist Eleanor Bühler-Kestler returned to the studio to release a set of recordings of the works of J.S. Bach. Especially in her later years, Bühler-Kestler has worked tirelessly on “her” Bach, loving its complexity and the music’s inner warmth, which has acted as a strong source of support throughout her life. Today she lives in Bayreuth, where until 2009 she was a lecturer in music at the university. As a young composer, Bach demonstrated in his Toccatas for solo keyboard unusual ideas and a playful exuberance, which particularly appeals to Eleanor Bühler-Kestler.
Germany’s most significant contemporary artist Gerhard Richter also loves the music of Bach and Eleanor Bühler-Kestler’s approach to performing his works. As a result of this Richter has provided the cover images for her Bach recordings.
