There are many fine extant recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach's Musikalisches Opfer (Musical Offering) that range from solo keyboard to full orchestra arrangements. A piece of music so full of ornate and detailed counterpoint that not only challenges the musicians performing it, but the listener as well. In 1747, King of Prussia Frederick II, a music enthusiast and talented flautist, submitted a theme he had written to Bach, and asked him if he could improvise a three-part fugue based on that theme. It is believed that the Ricercar a 3 which opens the Musical Offering is a note-for-note transcription of that improvisation. Two months later, Bach sent the king the Musical Offering, which includes Canons as well as a 6-part Fugue, all based on the "royal theme".

An international ensemble comprised of Russian, Japanese, French and German musicians, the six member Ensemble Barockin' (flute, 2 violins, 2 cellos and harpsichord) is committed to playing early music in its original style and sound. And don't let their name fool you. Unlike the ensemble Il Giardino Armonico which is known for playing Baroque music at ludicrous speeds, these musicians allow the music to unfold naturally at a unhurried pace, and instead use incisive bowing and accents to punctuate the music's forward momentum. This allows the listener to easily discern and follow the main subject's sinuous development at all times. Ensemble Barockin' give this work the frugal fugal treatment, with a crisp and open sound that well suits the music's complex character.