Jochewed Schwartz – piano

The concert program will present three pieces by two generations of the Bach family: an early prelude and fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach, an emotional fantasy by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach in his “Sturm und Drang” composition style, and a Johann Christian Bach keyboard Sonata, fashionable and popular in London during the second half of the 18th century.

The A minor prelude and fugue (BWV 894) were composed by the young Johann Sebastian Bach at the beginning of the 18th century, reminiscent of the Italian orchestral works, common around 1710. The compositions of his two sons, the eldest and the youngest, express the two opposite styles which replaced the father’s scholarly and precise musical language.
 Wilhelm Friedemann’s fantasy is a stormy, emotional work, an example of the “Sturm und Drang” era (ca. 1765 – 1785). It was composed in Berlin upon Baron von Behr’s request, by a disappointed and bitter man, who was unemployed since 1764 and therefore had to rely on other people’s generosity at the end of his life.

Johann Christian’s sonata, the fifth of Opus 17 published in London in 1780, is a “gallant”, fashionable composition, with singing melodies and a simple harmonic structure. It was written by a respected, highly successful musician, who gained immense popularity in London of the second half of the 18th century, his new homeland. 

Early keyboard instruments player Jochewed Schwarz performs in her homeland Israel and abroad, especially in venues devoted to the preservation and presentation of playable historical instruments. Passionate about chamber music she created and leads various early music concert series. An experienced continuo player, she gladly joins chamber ensembles and orchestras in concerts. 

Her performances and recordings in harpsichord-duo DuoChord with harpsichordist Emer Buckley are receiving considerable attention from both the public and music critics. DuoChord specialize in reviving the hitherto neglected late 17th and 18th century well documented historical practice of performing on two keyboards chamber music originally written for other instruments.

She is currently working on publishing forgotten music manuscripts composed by Israeli cellist and composer Joachim Stutschewsky and researching harpsichord playing and historical performance practice of Early Music in British Mandate Palestine, with special focus on harpsichord player Frank Pelleg.