Stephen Schultz, called “among the most flawless artists on the Baroque flute” by the San Jose Mercury News, “flute extraordinaire” by the New Jersey Star-Ledger, and praised for performances of “stunning warmth and agility” by the Las Angeles Times is joined by harpsichordist Jory Vinikour.Twice GRAMMY® nominated, and hailed as “…an authentic poet of the harpsichord” by Denni Republik (Czech Republic), his performances have received raves in Gramophone and elsewhere.
PRAISE FOR CD-1295:
The artistry of the Baroque flutist Stephen Schultz has been familiar to Bay Area music lovers for decades, through his work with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and other period-instrument ensembles. He’s a musician of considerable dexterity and assurance — as well as the authority that comes with a lifelong immersion in this repertoire — and those qualities shine through in his new recording of four of Bach’s flute sonatas. Together with harpsichordist Jory Vinikour, Schultz brings a wondrous brightness and clarity to this repertoire, underscoring the elegance of pieces that can sometimes sound like filler. Much of that is helped along by the use of the Baroque flute, whose sonorities have a woody luster a modern instrument can’t always match. But more important is the combination of directness and stately grace that Schultz and Vinikour bring to their performances.
— Joshua Kosman, San Frnacisco Chronicle, March 15, 2018
“Schultz and Vinikour each play as though the other’s instrument were an extension of his own, the latter’s incredible affinity for matching the nuances of his colleague’s phrasing despite the harpsichord’s singular mechanism complementing the former’s talent for legato playing that recalls not the efforts of fellow flautists but of Maria Callas. As they are performed by these musicians, Schultz’s flute singing and Vinikour’s harpsichord scintillating, the Sonatas are virtually cantatas for voice and orchestra.”
“…ears as discerning as [Bach’s] could not fail to hear in the playing of Stephen Schultz and Jory Vinikour echoes of his own genius and virtuosity.”
—Joseph Newsome, Voix des Arts, 11 February 2018
Read the entire review here: http://www.voix-des-arts.com/2018/02/cd-review-johann-sebastian-bach-sonatas.html
“This new recording of the J. S. Bach Sonatas for flute and obbligato harpsichord, performed by Stephen Schultz and Jory Vinikour, is a must-have addition to the CD collection of any lover of the music of Bach. Played with elegance, acumen, and flawless execution by these two leading early music artists, the sonatas are so brilliantly recorded that the counterpoint is impeccably clear, and the balance between voices is superb. Mr. Schultz’s gorgeous flute tone is perfectly matched by the resonance of Mr. Vinikour’s harpsichord, making this recording a pleasure to hear.”
—Kathie Stewart, Principal Flute, Apollo’s Fire, Teacher of Baroque Flute, Cleveland Institute of Music, Curator of Harpsichords, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
“I am simply in awe of the instrumental mastery and musical depth these performances offer. Truly a classic, and without a doubt a great reference to all flutists. Congratulation on this amazing achievement!”
—Alberto Almarza, Associate Professor of Flute, Carnegie Mellon University
