Michala Petri (recorder) and Lars Hannibal (lute) play Johann Sebastian Bach’s Flute Sonata in C major for flute (recorder) and basso continuo (BWV 1033).

Michala Petri (recorder) and Lars Hannibal (lute) play Bach’s Flute Sonata in C major for flute (recorder) and basso continuo (BWV 1033).

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Flute Sonata in C major, BWV 1033

The flute sonata is attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach in the manuscript, which is in the hand of his son Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and has been dated to about 1731, although scholars question the attribution. It is in four short movements:

  1. Andante – Presto
  2. Allegro
  3. Adagio
  4. Menuet 1 – Menuet 2.

Jeanne Swack of the University of Wisconsin notes that the first menuet “is related to the first in a set of variations in a concerto for oboe, obligato cembalo and doubling cello by the Merseburg composer Christoph Förster”; this suggests that the movements of BWV 1033 “may have had a disparate origin, as does the sudden appearance of an obbligato cembalo part solely for that movement.”

The basso continuo can be provided by a variety of instruments. For example in complete Bach recordings, Stephen Preston on Brilliant Classics (originally recorded by CRD UK) is accompanied by harpsichord and viola da gamba while on Hänssler Classic Jean-Claude Gérard is accompanied by piano and bassoon. Here it is played by Lars Hannibal on lute.

Here is another beautiful piece by the duo: Devil’s Trill Sonata by Giuseppe Tartini (1692–1770).

Michala Petri & Lars Hannibal: Tartini Devil`s Trill Sonata 3.

The Violin Sonata in G minor, Bg 5, more familiarly known as the Devil’s Trill Sonata (Italian: Il trillo del diavolo), a work for solo violin (with figured bass accompaniment) by Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770). It is one of the composer’s most well-known compositions, notable for its technically difficult passages.

Michala Petri

Michala Petri, born on July 7, 1958, is a renowned Danish recorder artist. She made her solo debut in 1969 and is the step-granddaughter of the celebrated Danish actress Ingeborg Brams.

Michala started her journey with the recorder at just three years old, quickly gaining recognition for her extraordinary skill and versatility. Her repertoire spans from baroque music, which marked the recorder’s golden era, to modern compositions crafted specifically for her. At five, she performed on Danish Radio, and her first solo performance took place in Copenhagen’s Tivoli concert hall in 1969 at the age of 11.

She has premiered numerous pieces by composers such as Malcolm Arnold, Gordon Jacob, and Richard Harvey, as well as Daniel Börtz, Erik Haumann, Hans Kunstovny, and others. A notable performance was with Victor Borge, playing Vittorio Monti’s Csardas for Borge’s 80th birthday, a challenge she recalls as one of the most demanding of her career.

Michala Petri and Lars Hannibal plays Bach Flute Sonata
Michala Petri (recorder) and Lars Hannibal (lute) play Johann Sebastian Bach’s Flute Sonata in C major for flute (recorder) and basso continuo (BWV 1033).

In 1992, Petri married Lars Hannibal, a guitarist and lutenist. Although they divorced in 2010, they continue to perform together, with over 1,500 concerts and many recordings to their credit. They co-founded the record label OUR Recordings. Petri has a keen interest in the recorder-guitar duo, collaborating with guitarists like Göran Söllscher and Manuel Barrueco. Her collaborations include albums of sonatas by J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel with Keith Jarrett on harpsichord. She has also recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, and others.

Petri’s education included studies with Prof. Ferdinand Conrad at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover, a choice influenced by her age restrictions in Denmark. Her BBC radio debut recital was in March 1976, followed by a recorded recital in 1977. Her talent was evident from a young age, as noted by Leo Black in the sleeve note of this recording. Her mother, Hanne Petri, studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, and her brother, David Petri, a cellist, won the Danish “Young Musician of the Year Award” in 1978. Both have recorded with Michala as The Petri Trio. Michala’s recording career includes an exclusive contract with Philips Records (1979-1987) and current recordings with RCA Red Seal.

Lars Hannibal

Lars Hannibal, born on July 15, 1951, in Aarhus, Denmark, is a distinguished classical guitarist and lutenist. He is well-known for his performances alongside his former spouse, the recorder virtuoso Michala Petri.

Hannibal’s musical journey began in Aarhus, where he initially found inspiration in the tunes of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. His interest in music broadened to classical guitar influenced by Andrés Segovia’s renditions of Bach.

His formal training includes studying guitar at the Aarhus Conservatory and lute in The Hague under the guidance of Toyohiko Satoh, culminating his studies in 1980. Hannibal has been imparting his musical knowledge since 1972 at the Peter Sabroe National Institute for Social Educators in Aarhus and occasionally indulges in playing with rock bands.

Hannibal and Michala Petri tied the knot in 1992, marking the beginning of a prolific collaboration that led to over 1,500 concerts and numerous recordings. Despite their divorce in 2010, they continue to perform together. They are the co-founders of the record label OUR Recordings. Hannibal’s musical partnerships extend beyond Petri, including collaborations with violinist Kim Sjøgren, trumpeter Michael Brydenfelt, and Chinese violinist Tina Chen Yi.

Hannibal holds a particular fascination for China, evident in his organization of a Gala Concert at the Danish Pavilion during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. He spearheads the project ‘Dialogue-East meets West’, fostering artistic exchanges between Denmark and China.

Sources

  1. Flute Sonata in C major, BWV 1033 on Wikipedia
  2. Violin Sonata in G minor (Tartini) on Wikipedia
  3. Michala Petri on Wikipedia
M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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