The Brandenburg Project

Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard’s The Brandenburg Project invites six composers to respond to one of Bach’s concertos. The results are fascinating and entrancing. At the project’s heart are wonderful Bach performances, in which orchestra and star soloists bring lustre and freshness to these masterpieces. They’re the perfect seedbeds for the magic that follows. US composer and guitarist Steven Mackey’s iridescent, rhythmic “Triceros,” after Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, parades Swedish trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger’s fizzing virtuosity, while composer Anders Hillborg’s Bach materia frames striking instrumental and vocal improvisations from violinist Pekka Kuusisto and bassist Sébastien Dubé. Complete with typewriter, synthesizer, and more, Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth’s ingenious Aello is akin to hearing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 refracted through a sonic prism. Just as captivating are Hamsa—US composer and pianist Uri Caine’s irresistible, frenetic riff on Brandenburg Concerto No. 5—and “Maya,” a soaring elegy for cello from Britain’s Mark-Anthony Turnage. Australian composer Brett Dean’s radiant Approach melts seamlessly into the opening of Brandenburg Concerto No. 6.