B.A.C.H.

“…a virtuosity and musicianship unsurpassed by any clarinettist — perhaps any instrumentalist — in my memory” 

New York Times on  Martin Fröst 

Acclaimed Swedish clarinettist and conductor, Martin Fröst is proud to announce his brand-new album, B.A.C.H. dedicated to the music of JS Bach.  Bach’s music has fascinated Fröst throughout his life, being enchanted and beguiled by its intimate form, even at a very young age.  Although Bach never encountered the clarinet, this has proved no barrier for Martin Fröst, who has returned to Bach’s music time and time again throughout his illustrious career.  In the past, Fröst devised performance programmes entitled "Beyond All Clarinet History" (B.A.C.H.), which intertwined Bach’s timeless melodies with new arrangements and he returns to this original idea here with sparkling new interpretations both for clarinet and a variety of other instruments, such as bass, cello, and theorbo that form the linchpin of his new "B.A.C.H." album, to be released by Sony Classical on October 24, 2025.   

"B.A.C.H." was recorded in an extraordinary setting: an old wooden chapel set in the Swedish countryside, purchased, restored, and turned into a studio and concert venue by Fröst himself and which provided the perfect environment for this extraordinary musical adventure which features a range of fascinating artists including Sebastien Dubé — double bass, Göran Fröst — viola, Anastasia Kobekina — cello and Jonas Nordberg — lute alongside a special guest appearance by Benny Andersson of ABBA on piano on the closing track. 

Martin Fröst has spoken openly about his experience living with Ménière’s disease — an inner ear disorder — and it was during a particularly intense bout of the illness that he suddenly experienced the desire to perform JS Bach’s music again.  Working in the converted chapel together with his brother, viola player Göran and alongside some close and trusted musician friends, Martin Fröst and the team crafted the arrangements as they rehearsed and by Christmas 2024, they were ready to record.  It was an intense process, whereby everyone involved lived, ate, rehearsed, recorded and slept in the chapel, even producer, Hans Kipfer, who took up residence in the choir loft for the duration.   

The choice of JS Bach’s music for the recording is based on some of Fröst’s favourite pieces that have been with him constantly throughout his own musical expeditions.  The Prelude in C major, BWV 846, heard here in the form of the Ave Maria, is a remarkable musical exercise — both musically and technically — since one cannot play the clarinet for two minutes and forty-six seconds on a single breath.  It’s a piece Fröst has been playing for as long as he can remember.  The track also features the much-lauded young cellist Anastasia Kobekina, who features throughout a great deal of the recording.  

With this unique, inventive album, Martin Fröst guides the listener through the enduring landscape of Bach's music.  It is an album born of moments of challenge, unexpected discovery, and profound collaboration.  Its narrative of connection and the sheer joy of the music and of the collective music-making will hopefully resonate keenly with all who listen.