Flagey chez soi: Julien Libeer

From their home to yours. With ‘Flagey chez soi’ we want to continue to share the joy of music on our feeds during this uncertain time. We asked some musicians who are very close to us, to tell you how they are coping with this crisis and to record a piece of music for you. We look forward to welcoming you back to Flagey when we reopen. Until then, enjoy the music and take care!

Belgian pianist Julien Libeer is our third guest at Flagey chez soi! He lets you enjoy an unreleased recording of Bach’s Allemande. Let’s travel back in time to the beginning of the 18th century when he wrote this opening part of the Fifth French Suite.

In his younger years, Bach also had his favourites. For example, he made every effort to get his hands on the music of the 'French harpsichordists'. This group of French composers included Jacques Champion de Chambonnières, François Couperin and Jean Philippe Rameau. They conquered the music scene of both France and Germany in the first half of the 18th century with their elegant and lyrical music for harpsichord. It is with their suites in mind that Bach set to work to compose his own six Suites pour le Clavessin in the years 1717 to 1723. Nowadays, we know these six works as the "French Suites" and they are among Bach's most beloved musical works. Especially the Fifth Suite - of which we hear the opening movement Allemande - touched everyone even in Bach's time because of its sunny and charming character.

Expect more beautiful performances by Sylvia Huang on April 8 and Nelson Goerner on April 10.