CPE Bach (Carl Philipp Emanuel)

[SonicMan46]

Symphonies this morning - a little easier to handle -     CPE composed about 20 of these works - see list below - My 4 recordings are shown at the bottom and comprise 16 of these symphonies (w/ duplication of six in Wq 182).  These performances are well done but some alternatives are listed on Amazon.  For those interested, reviews attached.  Dave

Symphonies (Source)
H 647. Adagio for string orchestra in B minor (spurious, by Henri Casadesus)[10]
H 648. Symphony in G major (Wq 173)
H 649. Symphony in C major (Wq 174)*
H 650. Symphony in F major (Wq 175)*
H 651. Symphony in D major (Wq 176)
H 652. Symphony in E minor (Wq 177) (first version of H 653)
H 653. Symphony in E minor (Wq 178)*
H 654. Symphony in E flat major (Wq 179)*
H 655. Symphony in G major (Wq 180)*
H 656. Symphony in F major (Wq 181)*
H 657. Six Symphonies for Baron van Swieten (1773) – Hamburger Sinfonien – Symphony in G major for string orchestra (Wq 182:1)+
H 658. Six Symphonies for Baron van Swieten (1773) – Hamburger Sinfonien – Symphony in B flat major for string orchestra (Wq 182:2)+
H 659. Six Symphonies for Baron van Swieten (1773) – Hamburger Sinfonien – Symphony in C major for string orchestra (Wq 182:3)+
H 660. Six Symphonies for Baron van Swieten (1773) – Hamburger Sinfonien – Symphony in A major for string orchestra (Wq 182:4)+
H 661. Six Symphonies for Baron van Swieten (1773) – Hamburger Sinfonien – Symphony in B minor for string orchestra (Wq 182:5)+
H 662. Six Symphonies for Baron van Swieten (1773) – Hamburger Sinfonien – Symphony in E major for string orchestra (Wq 182:6)+
H 663. Orchester-Sinfonien mit zwölf obligaten Stimmen (1775–76) – Symphony in D major (Wq 183:1)#
H 664. Orchester-Sinfonien mit zwölf obligaten Stimmen (1775–76) – Symphony in E flat major (Wq 183:2)#
H 665. Orchester-Sinfonien mit zwölf obligaten Stimmen (1775–76) – Symphony in F major (Wq 183:3)#
H 666. Orchester-Sinfonien mit zwölf obligaten Stimmen (1775–76) – Symphony in G major (Wq 183:4)#
H 667. Symphony in G major
H 668. Symphonies & divertimentos by J.C. Bach
 * Zacharias - Orch Chamb Lausanne
 + Beyer & Oramo - duplication
 # Leonhardt - Orch Age Enlightment

[SonicMan46]

Trio Sonatas for my listening today - CPE wrote about 30 of these works (see listing below from his 'Chamber Music' category, which consists of H 502 - H 646) - own the recordings at the bottom, which account for about half of these compositions (see the footnote indications, if interested in the contents).

For those just getting into this era's music genres, the Trio Sonata is briefly summarized in the first quote (and more at the link) - basically, two melody instruments (violins or flute/oboe substitutions) + basso continuo (cello or viola da gamba and harpsichord).  The London Baroque uses two violins, while Les Amis substitutes a flute. Reviews attached for those interested.  Dave

Trio sonata, major chamber-music genre in the Baroque era (c. 1600–c. 1750), written in three parts: two top parts played by violins or other high melody instruments, and a basso continuo part played by a cello. The trio sonata was actually performed by four instruments, since the cello was supported by a harpsichord upon which a performer improvised harmonies implied by the written parts. (Source)

CPE Bach's Trio Sonatas (Source)
H 567. Trio Sonata in B minor (Wq 143)
H 568. Trio Sonata in G major (Wq 144)#
H 569. Trio Sonata in D minor (Wq 145)#
H 570. Trio Sonata in A major (Wq 146)#
H 571. Trio Sonata in C major (Wq 147)#
H 572. Trio Sonata in A minor (Wq 148)#
H 573. Trio Sonata in C major (Wq 149)#
H 574. Trio Sonata in G major (Wq 150)#
H 575. Trio Sonata in D major (Wq 151)#
H 576. Trio Sonata in F major (Wq 154)+
H 577. Trio Sonata in E minor (Wq 155)+
H 578. Trio Sonata in B flat major (Wq 161:2)
H 579. Trio Sonata in C minor (Wq 161:1)*
H 580. Trio Sonata in E major (Wq 162)
H 581. Trio Sonata in G major (Wq 152)
H 582. Trio Sonata in A minor (Wq 156)+
H 583. Trio Sonata in G major (Wq 157)
H 584. Trio Sonata in B flat major (Wq 158)*+
H 585. Sinfonia a tre voce in D major
H 586. Trio Sonata in G major (Wq 153)
H 587. Trio Sonata in B flat major (Wq 159)
H 588. Trio Sonata in F major (Wq 163)
H 589. Trio Sonata in F major
H 590. Trio Sonata in D minor (Wq 160)+
H 591. Trio Sonata in E major
H 592. Trio Sonata in C minor
H 593. Trio Sonata in E flat major (lost)
H 594. Trio Sonata in F major (lost)
H 595. Trio Sonata in G major (lost)
H 596. Trio Sonata in F major
H 597. Trio Sonata in F major
  * Purcell Quartet - Helios (55232)
  + London Baroque - H. Mundi (901511)
  # Les Amis de Philippe - CPO (999 495-2)

   

[DavidW]

 

Yes I like that recording!

[Leo K.]

I'm really amazed at the revelatory box of complete CPE Bach from Hanssler. I'm going through this lately and at every turn there are wonderful interesting works.

[Florestan]

complete CPE Bach from Hanssler.

   

[DavidW]

   

He means this:



60 cd box set!

[George]

He means this:



60 cd box set!

The keyboard works alone are 36 CDs.

[Florestan]

He means this:



60 cd box set!

The keyboard works alone are 36 CDs.

Thanks. Still, it6's not complete, the oratorios and the Magnificat are missing.

[Que]

Thanks. Still, it6's not complete, the oratorios and the Magnificat are missing.

I love how it says "Completed" on the cover...

What is that suppose to mean? 

[Florestan]

I love how it says "Completed" on the cover...

What is that suppose to mean? 

I noticed that. No idea.

[DavidW]

Thanks. Still, it6's not complete, the oratorios and the Magnificat are missing.

Incorrect!

[DavidW]

I love how it says "Completed" on the cover...

What is that suppose to mean? 

The earlier box set was 54 cds and was incomplete, the new one is 60 cds and is complete. 

[SonicMan46]

I love how it says "Completed" on the cover...

What is that suppose to mean? 

Yep, noticed that also, i.e. not 'Complete' but 'Completed' - meaning  - but 60 CDs certainly does not cover CPE's prodigious output, e.g. Spanyi on BIS has recorded 60 discs of the solo and concerto KB works! Just looking at my database on Papa Bach's second son, I own 97 discs and that does not include any of his nearly 200 vocal, sacred, etc. works listed HERE.  Dave

[SonicMan46]

Finishing up my CPE collection last night and this morning with the recordings below - two versions of the violin/KB sonatas, Belder on harpsichord or fortepiano & Kimura on Baroque violin; modern instruments on the other set - reviews of the latter attached; review of Belder HERE. Dave

 

 

[Florestan]

Incorrect!

I stand corrected on Magnificat --- but where are the oratorios, Die Israeliten in der Wüste, Wq. 238, Die letzten Leiden des Erlösers (Wq 233) and Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu, Wq. 240? Where are the Passions? Where are the rest of the cantatas and the rest of the songs? 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Carl_Philipp_Emanuel_Bach

[Florestan]

60 CDs certainly does not cover CPE's prodigious output

Exactly.

[Leo K.]

Exactly.

I stand corrected as well. Now my latest assumption is that their particular edition is complete, as the earlier edition was not. Still, a great set to get started for someone like me

[SonicMan46]

Keyboard Concertos w/ Miklós Spányi - I've just finished listening to his first 10 of 20 volumes of these works on various instruments on a Spotify playlist, mainly a tangent piano (below - reconstruction of a tangent piano by Dierik Potvlieghe). 

Now listening to two purchased CDs, Vols. 8 & 13; also just purchased Vols. 10 & 16 - all from Discogs or eBay (total price about $40 USD for the four). Spanyi plays a targent piano that offers dynamics like a piano but a sound more similar to a harpsichord/clavichord (see quote below). My other CDs of these works are on harpsichord or modern piano, so a nice contrast, but not sure I need all 20 volumes -     Dave

The tangent piano is a rare keyboard instrument that resembles a harpsichord and early pianos in design. It normally features five octaves of keys and the strings are acted upon by narrow wooden or metal slips when the keys are depressed. The tangent piano has an unusual sound that combines the qualities of the harpsichord and piano. The treble resembles the bright sound from a light action piano, and the bass resembles the bass from a harpsichord. (Source above)

 

[Spenserian]

In David Schulenberg's book on C.P.E. Bach, he talks about Bach's commercial acumen, and how it sometimes made him write, well, rather dull, pedestrian works, especially when it came to the keyboard concertos. Sometimes it seems he did sort of a 'one for them, one for me' system, like modern commercial filmmakers, it's quite fascinating how weird, idiosyncratic masterpieces alternate with workmanlike concertos for laymen. I think a selection of the concertos is probably better for the average listener! Interesting to compare Spányi on period instruments with Rische and the Berliner Barock Solisten on Hänssler (most of these performances are in their big CPE Bach box). Rische plays on modern piano and him and his crew play quite a bit faster! They recorded some highlights instead of all. For scholarship, Spányi's contributions to C.P.E. Bach are invaluable. I find him a fascinating composer, I even managed to buy Rachel Wade's old monograph, published form of her dissertation, on the keyboard concertos. Fascinating stuff. She wrote the notes on some of the BIS releases too.

[milk]

In David Schulenberg's book on C.P.E. Bach, he talks about Bach's commercial acumen, and how it sometimes made him write, well, rather dull, pedestrian works, especially when it came to the keyboard concertos. Sometimes it seems he did sort of a 'one for them, one for me' system, like modern commercial filmmakers, it's quite fascinating how weird, idiosyncratic masterpieces alternate with workmanlike concertos for laymen. I think a selection of the concertos is probably better for the average listener! Interesting to compare Spányi on period instruments with Rische and the Berliner Barock Solisten on Hänssler (most of these performances are in their big CPE Bach box). Rische plays on modern piano and him and his crew play quite a bit faster! They recorded some highlights instead of all. For scholarship, Spányi's contributions to C.P.E. Bach are invaluable. I find him a fascinating composer, I even managed to buy Rachel Wade's old monograph, published form of her dissertation, on the keyboard concertos. Fascinating stuff. She wrote the notes on some of the BIS releases too.

That's interesting. I was wondering because sometimes I've thought certain of his works were just written by different people.