C.P.E. Bach Edition - CD

ENGLISH

<br><br>Here’s a rare opportunity for listeners to explore the extremely rich and varied oeuvre of a composer who achieved considerable renown in his own lifetime and was in fact much more highly regarded than his father – contemporaneous references always referred to him, rather than Johann Sebastian, as the ‘great Bach’. The second eldest of four sons, Carl Philipp Emanuel’s reputation declined somewhat during the course of the 19th century, when Mendelssohn’s revival of his father’s Matthew Passion fuelled a surge in appreciation for the mastery of this genius’s music. Today, however, with renewed interest in neglected 18th‐century music, C.P.E. Bach’s status has been revised, and he is now recognised as a significant composer in his own right, the author of a boldly original and innovative style. As the set<br /> reveals, Emanuel composed in practically every genre except opera. A substantial part of his career was spent working for the fluteplaying Frederick the Great, and his chamber works reflect the conservative tastes of his patron who was effectively a restraint on the composer’s experimental spirit. With such<br /> works as the Hamburg Symphonies and keyboard sonatas, however, C.P.E. Bach was able unleash all facets of his musical talent; the empfindsamer Stil, of which he was an important pioneer, is particularly evident in the latter works which number over 300 in total. Also included on the compilation is an assortment of concertos (most of which were written for the keyboard), sacred songs – the composer exercised an important role in the early beginnings of the German lied – and vocal works such as cantatas and oratorios. Landmarks regarding the latter genre include the Magnificat and The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. <br /> <br /> A wonderful array of talent is assembled for this compilation, which features many period‐performance ensembles and artists – the Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum and Bart van Oort included – who have made the music of Bach their primary study. As one of the few sets on the market that explores C.P.E. Bach’s music in such depth, this bargain‐priced compendium is a worthy addition to the Baroque enthusiast’s library, affording hours of pleasurable listening experience.<br /> <br /> Other information:<br /> - A Celebrating the Tricentenary of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (born in 1714), the most substantial Edition available!<br /> - Carl Philipp Emanuel was the most famous son of the great Johann Sebastian. He developed his own musical language, the “Empfindsamer Stil”, of which the expression of personal feelings, a free and sometimes improvisatory style and the frequent alternation of opposing moods and characters were the keywords. His music can be both charming and vehement, may please or shock the listener, can be simple of complicated: a perfect example of the “Sturm und Drang” movement of his period.<br /> - Carl Philipp Emanuel was a prolific composer, excelling in all known musical genres of his time, except opera. This set offers a wealth of his many compositions: symphonies, concertos for diverse instruments, keyboard music, sacred vocal works and chamber music.<br /> - Excellent performances by specialists in the field of the Historical Performance Practice.<br /> - A superb set in the grand tradition of Brilliant Classics editions, great quality for an affordable price!<br /> - Notes and sung texts available on this page by clicking on 'Download booklet' below the cover.