Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach composed most of his 72 concertos for soloist and orchestra during his time in Berlin, where he was the official harpsichordist for Frederick II of Prussia.
Composer Biography
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the composer featured on this album, was the son of Johann Sebastian Bach and was appointed music director in Hamburg in 1767.
Critical Reception
Mozart greatly admired Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, stating, "He is the father, we are his children."
Composer's Artistic Vision
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach revolutionized musical genres like the trio sonata, concerto, and symphony, and altered the soloist's role in relation to the orchestra.
Compositional Technique
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's music often features abrupt changes between suffering and vital energy, creating a humorous distancing effect and reconciling opposites.
Interpretation
The performers chose to use a pianoforte in the symphonies and cello concerto because its dynamic possibilities, from extreme to sudden, suited Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's style.
Instruments
The violoncello piccolo, used for the solo part in the Sonata Wq. 137, was frequently used by Johann Sebastian Bach and perfectly matches the range of the viol.
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