Bach Family

[SurprisedByBeauty]

A thread (there isn't one already?) for all things Bach-Family, but not (mainly) J.S.B.


Classical CD Of The Week: Wake Up To Bach Beyond "J.S."



Classical CD Of The Week: Who Is Johann Bernhard Bach?




Dip Your Ears, No. 47 (Bach Family Matters)
Bach Family et al., Lamento, MAK, R.Goebel, M.Kožená
Archiv

[Karl Henning]

Haven't watched this yet, but I plan to.

[luk]

let's focus on the lesser known Bach family members

[DavidW]

We all listen to CPE Bach and JC Bach but does anyone have any favorite WF Bach recordings?

[Karl Henning]

let's focus on the lesser known Bach family members

Apologies if there is a better thread which did not occur to me.

[ando]

Well, Johann Christian had long been a favorite of mine (perhaps I'll post favorite albums in a bit) but I must admit that until today I've completely ignored the output of the eldest, Wilhelm Friedemann. However, this studio recital of solo piano work has been sitting in my Spotify queue for a while. I found the initial fantasia intriguing and wanted to hear more but never got around to it.

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Anthony Spiri Three Fantasias • Three Fugues • Three Sonatas
Spotify Edition YouTube playlist

[Mandryka]

We all listen to CPE Bach and JC Bach but does anyone have any favorite WF Bach recordings?

Robert Hill, polonaises. And Leonhardt too on a Philips CD.

[DavidW]

@SonicMan46 requested here ASAP!  I'm sure he has heard lots.

[ando]

Johann Christian Bach Six Sonatas, Op. 17 (2014, BC)
Bart van Oort, fortepiano

[ando]

Johann Sebastian Bach Bach 333 The New Complete Edition (2018, Deutsche Grammophon)
Just thought I'd mention this edition of Papa Bach's work. It's a superlative collection of artists and interpretations and for all the bad mouthing Spotify has received they're the only service streaming collections like this free of charge (w/ads, of course). The Premium tier is obviously the better option but for students and other cash strapped folk it's a blessing.

Good luck with securing a copy of the actual box set!

 

[DavidW]

Thanks Ando, the box set looks incredible.  btw the set is easily available on Amazon.  And it looks like DG curated recordings and artists even outside their record label family.  It is an absolutely incredibly set even though it costs $500.  It even has a Bach after Bach section.

[ando]

Thanks Ando, the box set looks incredible.  btw the set is easily available on Amazon.  And it looks like DG curated recordings and artists even outside their record label family.  It is an absolutely incredibly set even though it costs $500.  It even has a Bach after Bach section.

The 333 box is beautiful.

If I hadn't secured a copy of the bootleg complete Hänssler version that they pulled from rotation years ago I might sprung for it. 



However you can get it, the more Bach the better. Course, not everyone feels this way:

[ando]

C.P.E. Bach Symphonies & Concertos Alperman, Bruns, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin (2001, Harmonia Mundi)
Currently streaming on several platforms this disc is a good introduction to C.P.E. and contains a fine sampling of symphonies and concerti with splendid sonics but at a decidedly brisk pace. The Symphony in E Minor Wq. 178, a favorite, benefits from this approach (imo):

[SimonNZ]

We all listen to CPE Bach and JC Bach but does anyone have any favorite WF Bach recordings?

The 2cd set of his cantatas conducted by Hermann Max on Brilliant Classics was superb, imo.


Edit: and I see now that those make up the last 2 discs of the 14cd WFB "Edition".

https://www.brilliantclassics.com/articles/w/wilhelm-friedemann-bach-edition/

[Jo498]

There is/was one pretty good Sony Vivarte disc with the Tafelmusik Ensemble that had the best known orchestral works by WF. IIRC Brilliant Classics had a 2fer with all? WF keyboard concerti, incl. the f minor that seems to be by Johann Christian. There is also a 2 harpsichord concerto by WF that is sometimes found as filler on a disc with CPE 2 keyboard concerti.

[ando]

The 2cd set of his cantatas conducted by Hermann Max on Brilliant Classics was superb, imo.


Edit: and I see now that those make up the last 2 discs of the 14cd WFB "Edition".

https://www.brilliantclassics.com/articles/w/wilhelm-friedemann-bach-edition/

Ah, it's streaming on AM (though I wouldn't pass up a CD purchase at the right price). Thanks!

[ando]

Boy, the recording quality is mud, but wow, to be an audience member at this performance! It's one of the things I miss most about living in New York City. My Wednesdays at 1 free performances at Tully outings simply can't be replaced. But C.P.E. Bach competently played anywhere is worth a sitting. Here's his Cello Concerto in A Minor performed by students at Schola Cantorum:

[ando]

I'm listening to this interesting podcast on the family; it's more of an introduction than deep dive but making a nice breakfast accompaniment.

[ando]

And I'm revisiting D. Hurwitz' discussion of C.P.E. Bach's music, including the big Hänssler box set which is indeed stunning -

[ando]

A live performance of J.S. Bach's Concerto A, BWV 1055 Gunther Rost, Leitung & Orgel