Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the composer of these cello concertos, was the second-oldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach and received his musical education from his famous father.
Cultural Impact
Ludwig van Beethoven, a later composer, explicitly referred to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach as an example in his piano lessons, and Beethoven's own piano sonatas were compared to Bach's style.
Compositional Technique
In these concertos, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach frees the cello from its traditional basso continuo role, making it an independent, virtuoso solo instrument.
Historical Context
In the second half of the 18th century, when people spoke of 'the great Bach,' they were referring to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, not his father Johann Sebastian Bach.
Compositional Technique
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's cello concertos are typical of the 'pre-classical' style, combining elements of baroque music with a new, passionately exciting musical rhetoric.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach believed that music must 'touch the heart' and that a musician must feel every emotion they wish to arouse in their listeners.
Composition History
The three cello concertos on this album also exist in versions for keyboard and flute, making it uncertain which instrument was the original for their composition.
