The tradition of adapting other composers’ works was a common convention in the early 18th century; adopting a piece by another composer was regarded as...

The tradition of adapting other composers’ works was a common convention in the early 18th century; adopting a piece by another composer was regarded as a sign of the highest esteem for fellow composers. As he grew older, Bach practiced this frequently for his own works. He arranged concertos written in Köthen for other ensembles in Leipzig, adapted Weimar cantatas to suit Leipzig conditions, and transformed chamber music into orchestral music (and vice versa). This CD by the Elbipolis Baroque Orchestra of Hamburg features five works by Johann Sebastian Bach, recorded in orchestral arrangements specially created by Jörg Jacobi, as well as the presumed original version of the Overture in B minor (BWV 1067) in a reconstruction by Werner Breig.