The baroque toccata is a composition for keyboard instrument with elements of intonazione, prelude, ricercare and fantasy in a multi-part piece of improvised character. J.S. Bach (1685-1750) wrote at least seven independent works for a keyboard manualiter, called toccatas, not to mention compositions that contain toccatas, such as overtures, or that have different names, such as prelude. The toccatas BWV 910-916 were written between 1705 and 1714.

Ursula Dütschler performed these seven works in May 2000 at the Wigmore Hall in London. Here are some excerpts from a review by Geoffrey Crankshaw in "Musical Opinion":

"Ursula Dütschler's harpsichord recital at the Wigmore Hall was without question a revelation. She performed the entire set of keyboard toccatas, and it was great. These works are not only among the best in the entire harpsichord repertoire, but also among Bach's most brilliant keyboard compositions. Each is an independent and very different entity. The composer transforms the introductory preludes into profound personal meditations, and the final fugues are breathtaking feats of intellectual skill.

"Ursula Dütschler is an exceptional musician with an excellent technique, which she always puts at the service of the music. This is particularly evident in her mastery of the subtle rhythms of the music, in her clear expressiveness and phrasing. For each toccata a personal interpretation, and each time I was surprised by the lightness of the musical language. We need this artist to come back to London as soon as possible."

Translated from French with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)