C.P.E. Bach: Symphonies 1-4/Cello Concerto in A with Andrew Manze [Import]

C.P.E. Bach (Composer), Alison McGillivray (Conductor), The English Concert (Orchestra), Andrew Manze (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Andrew Manze
• Orchestra: The English Concert
• Conductor: Alison McGillivray
• Composer: C.P.E. Bach
• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B000I5YVHU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,211 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #66 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Cello

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788), Johann Sebastian's prodigiously talented second son, acquired his musical skills at his father's knee, but emerged from the paternal shadow before he was 25. His reputation as a keyboard player was cemented--and perpetuated--by his "Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments"; as a composer, he developed a style distinctly his own: innovative, adventurous, deliberately willful, yet characterized by an inward, subtle sensitivity. He exerted a profound influence on succeeding generations; Mozart reportedly said, "He is the father, we are the children."

These four symphonies, written in 1775, all have three movements connected by a fermata or short cadenza. Within this form, Bach achieves extraordinary diversity of character, mood, and expression, with contrasting articulation, rhythm, and dynamics; the conversational juxtaposition of winds and strings creates variety of color and texture. The fast corner movements are sparkling and gracious, with trills adding spice and humor; the slow middle movements sing serenely and lament mournfully. The Cello Concerto, composed around 1753 during Bach's 30-year employment at the court of Frederick the Great, is very beautiful; the slow movement with its Neapolitan chords and chromaticism is deeply moving. It also exists in versions for flute and harpsichord, the former written for the Emperor, the latter probably for Bach himself. The cello version, which combines the flute's sustaining quality and the keyboard's nimbleness, is considered the most successful; the solo part is extremely difficult, with leaps, jumps, and runs. The period instrument orchestra, tuned a half-step low, is most excellent; the solo cello sounds a bit subdued, but the performance is brilliant and expressive.  --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must, December 13, 2010

By 

Prescott Cunningham Moore (San Francisco, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: C.P.E. Bach: Symphonies 1-4/Cello Concerto in A with Andrew Manze (Audio CD)

Absolutely thrilling! Not only are these the finest performances of the symphonies of C.P.E. Bach, but they also represent music making as exciting and ebullient as you are likely to hear. The works of C.P.E. Bach represent the bridge between the baroque splendor of his famous father and the mature symphonic works of Haydn. While cast in sonata form (with no repeats), they marry the late counterpuntal styling of baroque with the cleaner approach of classicism.

Manze, who inherited the English Consort from Trevor Pinnock, has this music in his blood, leading performances as vibrant and life-affirming as any. The English Consort follows their leader with consummate skill and with a like-mind for the inherent joy of these works. For example, listen to the opening of the first symphony, where the strings attack their parts, imbuing the music with tremendous energy. Or listen to how the ensemble expertly builds tension from the comic opening of the third symphony. Similarly, the joyous close of the forth symphony makes you want this music to go on forever. These performances are an absolute joy and represent music making at its finest. Bravo to all involved.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "SACD" VERSION BETTER THAN THIS...., November 28, 2006

By 

Hannibal (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C.P.E. Bach: Symphonies 1-4/Cello Concerto in A with Andrew Manze (Audio CD)

The great Andrew Manze has done it again! Brilliant, sparkling accents and marvelous playing of this joyous music by the English Concert. - BUT DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, AND BUY THE SACD VERSION (HARMONIA MUNDI 807403) OF THIS RECORDING, INEXPLICABLY NOT OFFERED FOR SALE BY AMAZON, BUT READILY AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And The Car Shall Be Filled With Music!, April 4, 2011

By 

J. A. Bell "she reads xyz" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: C.P.E. Bach: Symphonies 1-4/Cello Concerto in A with Andrew Manze (Audio CD)

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Day Is Done

I've played no other CD in my car since this one arrived some time ago. I play it loudly and the cars that infest the highway fold away.

Truly sublime music!