Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, son of Johann Sebastian Bach, initially studied law but abandoned it to become an organist, despite a salary seven times lower than a colleague's.
Historical Context
The composers on this album—Johann Gottlieb Graun, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and Ludwig Christian Hesse—were all part of the musical chapel of Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia.
Composer Biography
Ludwig Christian Hesse, a gambist and composer, had a challenging career, with his father's patron going bankrupt, but he became one of the greatest violists of his time.
Interpretation
The performers chose to use copies of early fortepianos by Cristofori and Silbermann to experience the 'new instrument' as musicians of the period would have.
Instruments
The fortepiano, an instrument invented in Italy by Cristofori in 1700, was revolutionary because it allowed for dynamic nuances, unlike earlier keyboard instruments.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The musical movement 'Empfindsamkeit' (sensibility), which influenced these works, aimed for direct musical expression of feelings, moving away from Baroque allegory.
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