JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH *

Bach: Sei suonate à cembalo certato è violoncello piccolo solo

Sonata No. 2 in A Major BWV 1015: III. Andante un poco (Transcription for violoncello piccolo and continuo)

This album is a heartfelt musical journey dedicated to the people of Cyprus and the dream of unity on one island. Blending Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, and the other ethnic groups that shape Cyprus, along international influences, it weaves together traditional melodies, peace songs, and instrumental works to create a cross-cultural tapestry of hope, memory, and togetherness.

The opening track, “Unite (3 Languages)”, sets the tone with a call for harmony across the divide. From the Cypriot folk essence of “Psintri Vasilicha” and “Ehe Via Panagia” (from Constantinople) to the deeply reflective “San Ton Metanasti” (“Like a refugee on your own land”), the album captures both the pain of displacement and the longing for belonging.

Nature and identity shine in “Hrisso Brasino Filo” (“The golden-green tree of Cyprus”), a symbol of the island’s beauty, while resilience is echoed through the world-famous protest song “Bella Ciao,” here sung in Turkish. Instrumental gems like “Scherzo Petahto” (a dance piece) and “Ora Kali” (a traditional wedding song) bring moments of joy and festivity.

International classics are honored as well, with the moving “Schindler’s List” theme—widely recognized as a song of peace—and the serene “Meditation” by Massenet, adding a universal dimension of reflection and healing.

The journey closes with “Eshen Vereve / Dillirga,” a duet of Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot folk traditions intertwined, symbolizing shared roots and the possibility of reconciliation.

Each track speaks to Cyprus’s cultural richness and the enduring desire for peace. This album is not just music—it is a bridge, a dedication to unity, and a tribute to those who believe in living together as one.

Schindler's List

Bach: Sonates en trio, BWV 525-530 (Alpha Collection)

Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526: II. Largo

Bach: Fantaisies chromatiques, sonates & transcriptions

Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, BWV 528: II. Andante

Bach: Sei Solo a Violino senza Basso accompagnato - II

Sonata per violino senza basso accompagnato No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante

Sonata per violino senza basso accompagnato No. 3 in C Major , BWV 1005: III. Largo

Bach: Partitas

Partita II in C Minor, BWV 826: IV. Sarabande

ÜberBach by Arash Safaian. Performed by Sebastian Knauer, Pascal Schumacher, Zürcher Kammerorchester

Sonata per violino senza basso accompagnato No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante

Hélène Schmitt

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