Irina Lankova Plays Bach/Marcello's Adagio

What happens when Johann Sebastian Bach and Alessandro Marcello join forces? The Concerto in D minor, BWV 974., of course. This piece is Bach’s keyboard transcription of Marcello’s original Oboe Concerto in D minor. But don’t be fooled: it’s not just a transcription, but rather a reimagining. Bach introduces his signature flair, adding ornamentation, harmonies, and a contrapuntal feel. Like the original concerto, this piece comprises three movements—Andante e spiccato, Adagio, and Presto—but the Andante is the most well-known movement and often performed on its own. Pianist Irina Lankova studied at both the Gnessin College of Music in Moscow and the Brussels Royal Conservatory under the Russian School greats: Evgeny Moguilevsky, Irina Temtchenko, Vladimir Ashkenazy, among others. Known for her colorful tonal palette and delicate lyricism, Lankova’s interpretation brings Marcello’s masterful writing, along with Bach’s playful ornaments, into the light. A dedicated pedagogue committed to increasing the accessibility of music for all, she created Piano Unveiled, a video series about the art of piano playing with millions of views.

© Nathalie Gabay