Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing reimagines 20 of J.S. Bach’s most beloved melodies in playful, yet intricate arrangements for chamber ensemble with piano or harpsichord. At the core of this project lies a shared artistic philosophy: to expand, rethink, and reshape Bach’s music without ever diminishing it. The arrangers draw strength from the positive and universal nature of his themes and harmonies, aiming to preserve the inherent optimism that runs through his work. “Bach is such a genius composer,” Eldbjørg Hemsing reflects, “that there are endless ways to look at the shapes and forms that make up his pieces. Every melody Bach composed contains an intriguing duality of being highly technical, yet profoundly emotional; and, thus, there are endless possibilities for reinterpretation.” At its heart, the album exudes joy, hope, and, ultimately, playfulness. “We wanted to create an opportunity for the audience to reconnect with such important pieces of history,” Hemsing notes. “And, perhaps, this time, discovering their own interpretation of it in the process.”