C.P.E. Bach: Cello Concertos

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In the 18th century, when you said "Bach" it wasn't Johann Sebastian you were talking about, but his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel. An official member of Frederick the Great's Prussian musical establishment, C. P. E. Bach was the greatest keyboard virtuoso of his age. He wrote the definitive treatise on keyboard technique and the art of ornamentation, and presided over the transition from the Baroque to the Classical styles. His own compositions are numerous and of extremely high quality, though not at all well known today. His concertos, symphonies, and sonatas are noteworthy for their unpredictable and highly emotional--indeed almost Romantic--intensity. This inexpensive disc makes an ideal introduction to a composer whose works are enjoying a major revival. Come and hear why! --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Trumpet Concerto In E: 1. Allegro Con Spirito
Trumpet Concerto In E: 2. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In E: 3. Rondo
Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Allegro Non Troppo
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Largo
Trumpet Concerto In D: 3. Vivace
Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Allegro Non Troppo Presto
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto In D: 3. Allegro Molto
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat, Hob. VIIIe:1: 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat, Hob. VIIIe:1: 2. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat, Hob. VIIIe:1: 3. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Allegro Moderato
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In D: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Allegro Moderato
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: 2. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: 3. Vivace
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In D: 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In D: 2. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In D: 3. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto No. 2 In C: 1. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto No. 2 In C: 2. Allegro Molto
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 1. Grave
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 2. Allegro
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 3. Grave
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 4. Allegro
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 5. Allegro
Concerto In B Flat, Op. 7 No. 3: 1. Allegro
Concerto In B Flat, Op. 7 No. 3: 2. Adagio
Concerto In B Flat, Op. 7 No. 3: 3. Allegro
Adagio In G Minor
Trumpet Tune
Chorale Preludes: 'Erbarm Dich Mein, O Herre Gott' BWN 721
Chorale Preludes: 'Ich Ruf' Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ' BWV 639
Chorale Preludes: 'Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen' BWV 727
Ave Maria

Customer Reviews:

Virtuosic Trumpet: Baroque And Classical Showcase.......2004-02-22

This album is an incredible showcase for the trumpet and the orchestra, in other words, the trumpet concerto. Hakan Hardenberger, the featured trumpet player, is highly talented and at the top of his game. Even the great jazz and classical trumpeter Winston Marsalis does'nt seem to reach the flights of fancy on the trumpet as does Hakan Hardenberger. Hardenberger masters the trumpet to perfection, capturing every nuance and every tone, from fortissimo fanfares to the softest pianissimo. On this compilation are the trumpet concerti of Baroque and Classical Era composers, among them Corelli and Albinoni and the Classical masters Franz Joseph Haydn and Leopold Mozart, Mozart's father. The sheer scale and magnetism of this music cannot be neglected. It is the greatest gathering of trumpet concerti ever made. The trumpet was perhaps the most fascinating instrument for Baroque composers. The trumpet produces grand, triumphant tones when played forte. It was an instrument that was displayed in ceremonial pomp- weddings, coronations and marches. The Baroque composers were sponsored by kings so they were expected to compose music for trumpet, which could be expressive not only as a fanfare for the king himself, but as an instrument of many dynamics. It can be played softly and slowly, which seems to create a nocturnal, reflective mood and staccato and fast-paced which made the music sound exciting and lively. In my opinion, it was the premier instrument of the Baroque Age.

The cd opens with the Trumpet Concerto In E Flat Major by Johann Hummel. This colorful piece is particularily impressive as it really explores the dynamic potential for the trumpet. It's third movement, the Rondo, is very exciting music, as it is played very fast and in a bouncy, dance-like manner. The Trumpet Concerto by Stamitz, Hertel and Richter are very stylish and must have been highly admired in the Baroque Era. The Trumpet concerto in E by Franz Joseph Haydn, who influenced Mozart, is beautiful, especially in its serenade-style andante second movement. In the last cd, Leopold Mozart's trumpet concerto is featured, and it's a good work. Perhaps his son Mozart greatly admired it, though Mozart did'nt really expand on trumpet concerti himself nor really ever showcased the instrument greatly. There are trumpet arrangements for the famous Albinoni Adagio in G, which on this version, sounds chilling, dark and dramatic. The cd concludes with trumpet versions of Bach's Organ Preludes and the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria.

superb playing.......2003-10-30

Hardenberger is indeed an extraordinary. The playing is right up there with the best of them. One thing unique to hardnberger is his ability to lock in ever note of every passage reguardless of register, speed, etc. In addition he playes with great character. The only reason i give hims less than 5 stars is because his lyricism, the most important thing, is surpassed by Maurice Andre and Phil Smith without questiong. especially after seing all of them live and buying their CDs. He is definitely among the greatests ever.

The Best Trumpeter in the Business.......2003-05-25

It's a rare treat for a reviewer when he can throw caution to the winds and go out on a limb for a musician. This is such an occasion for me. Hakan Hardenberger is a phenomenon. I think he is the Babe Ruth, the Wayne Gretzky, the Michael Jordan, the Vladimir Horowitz, the Jascha Heifetz of trumpet players.

Hardenberger is a Swedish trumpeter who made his first recording (Haydn, Hummel, Hertel, and Stamitz trumpet concertos, with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields under Neville Marriner, on Philips) in 1986 when he was only 25 years old (in the cover photo of the original CD he looks like a boy). The first time I played this debut CD of his, my jaw dropped and I could hardly believe my ears. His playing was a revelation--absolutely stunning. I'd never heard trumpet playing to compare with it. In my opinion, with his first two CDs young Hardenberger not only moved into the top rank of trumpeters; he swept right past his competitors to the head of the class. I've compared a number of his baroque concerto performances, here and elsewhere, with those of other famous trumpeters, and he always comes out on top. I believe him to be in a league of his own. He has everything: virtuosity and technique to burn, dead-on intonation, clean trills, smooth legato, expressive shading, beauty of tone, brilliant high notes, enormous dynamic range. He is also a sound musician, with taste and a sense of style. His arsenal is complete and unassailable; there is no chink in his armor.

Everything that was on that debut CD is now in this Philips Duo set, which is a much better value, because it offers two generously filled CDs--72:55 and 78:27--for the price of one, adding most of the contents of two later Hardenberger CDs of baroque music for trumpet (the recordings here were made from 1986 through 1993). It's a good buy, and if you're going to own only one collection of baroque trumpet music, this is the one I'd recommend.

The trumpet has always been a difficult instrument to record and reproduce accurately. Here, although the consistently excellent digital recording presents Hardenberger very much front and center, it captures the timbre, "bite," and wide dynamic range of his trumpet with exemplary vividness and fidelity. On a top-quality playback system, he sounds like he's standing right between the speakers playing for you. And what playing it is! Not to be missed.

Hardenberger's second CD, of Telemann Trumpet Concertos, also accompanied by the ASMF, this time under Iona Brown, was recorded in 1987 (again on Philips). It too is marvelous, fully as impressive as his first CD, but unfortunately none of it is included in the Philips Duo reviewed here, so you have to acquire it separately. It's well worth it.

Long live the king!

Virtuosic... Incredible.......2001-08-06

You don't have to be a fan of the instrument in order to appreciate and become overwhelmed by the beauty, the splendor and acrobatics of the trumpet. In the Baroque era, it was a instrument for the royal treatment and heralded arrival of kings and war. The performances here are excellent- Hardenberger, I Musici and Neville Marriner and his orchestra deliver virtuosic renditions of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Hummel's, Hertel's, Molter's and Albinoni's concerti, as well as incredible arrangements of Ave Maria by Bach and Albinoni's Adagio.

A non-trumpet player's view..........2001-02-12

Although I love classical music and have done so for a long time, I must confess that I am not a trumpet player. With that said, I must say that these two CDs are wonderful. My first recording of the Hummel and the Haydn concertos was the second Marsalis/Leppard/ECO recording on Sony Classical (titled Wynton Marsalis - The London Concert). Inexperienced with trumpet recordings at the time, I really treasured the CD. After all, a big name artist known for his virtuosity was performing the technically demanding concertos. What more could you ask for? After a while, though, I began to feel that Marsalis didn't really do it for me in these works. Sure, he played with a flair (and what a flair it was), but he lacked the focused, rich tone that I've come to associate with great trumpet players (Herseth comes to mind here).

The current reviewed recording, on the other hand, is quite a piece of gem. Even though I have never heard of Hardenberger before (you trumpet players out there please excuse my ignorance), he delivers precisely what I am looking for. Hardenberger has the centered tone that most trumpeters would envy, yet he lacked none of the technical virtuosity needed for the music. His vibrato is light and very classical (as opposed to the wider jazz vibrato). On top of all that, he shows much understanding and affinity for the various works on these two CDs.

Tracks:

Concerto In D Minor Rv406: Allegro Non Molto
Concerto In D Minor Rv406: Andante
Concerto In D Minor Rv406: Minuetto
Concerto In D Major: Largo
Concerto In D Major: Allegro
Concerto In D Major: Grave
Concerto In D Major: Allegro
Cocnerto No. 2 in B flat major: Allegro
Cocnerto No. 2 in B flat major: Adagio
Cocnerto No. 2 in B flat major: Allegro Assai

Customer Reviews:

A+. Fine on cassette: Superb in CD. Stirs the heart........2001-05-11

I have the cassette version and play it repeatedly while driving. Some clasical music is moving but also puts one to sleep. One can delightfully sink into a pleasant slumber yet the longing to hear every magnificient weeping cello note prolongs the sandperson. Now, I have been playing the CD on my CPU system for about three hours. The music is great for inspiration. One can write easily. The beautiful tones bring creativity out better than most other performances. Indeed, combining Vivaldi, Tartini and CPE Bach was a stroke of majesty.

Rostropovich has the cello crying with melodics, intonation and his masterful skills. The sound cries so much that the soul is satiated yet wants encores. I have heard beautiful chanting and string performances before. The only parallel I can relate to is Richard Tucker chanting High Holy Day prayers: With all his soul and mystical magic provided by a higher power.

The Saint Paul Orchestra, lead by Hugo Wolff is the fitting instrument for Rostropovich. The result is synergistic majesty.

How can I say that the Vivaldi sounds better or less than Tartini or CPE? I can't. As a Rostropovich lover, hearing him play or conduct any sour notes is indeed rare. Here, all notes are "on."

The only possible disappointment might be we only hear 53.54. Should another concerto been added? A beautiful picture can be revisted at will. The repeat button allows for a greater appreciation with each replay. This is one time I wish the scores would be handy so they could be followed as he performs. This would help understand the composers as each wrote their concerto. But, Rostropovich has studied their origins well.

This CD is the "real thing." Come back to the master. Cello lovers and appreciators of good music, regardless of genre will cherish this CD forever. Teldec/BMG's recorders used all their skills to match Rostropovich.

This is a heart stirring "must hold" sharing. Buy and play it. Your rating may be higher.

Alan D. Kardoff, Melbourne FL

Rostropovich does it again........1999-06-06

This is the cd that inspired me to like classical music in the first place, and to like cello best among the instruments. Leaves you dying to hear more of Vivaldi's cello concertos (which he wrote hundreds of). A definite good buy.

Average customer rating:

Belongs in every classical lovers collection

C.P.E. Bach: Cello Concertos

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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C.P.E. Bach: Hamburg Sinfonias Nos. 1-6
Johann Baptist Vanhal: Symphonies Vol. 1

ASIN: B00000146V
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Concerto In A Major, Wq. 172: Allegro
Concerto In A Major, Wq. 172: Largo
Concerto In A Major, Wq. 172: Allegro assai
Concerto In A Minor, Wq. 170: Allegro assai
Concerto In A Minor, Wq. 170: Andante
Concerto In A Minor, Wq. 170: Allegro assai
Concerto In B Flat Major, Wq. 171: Allegro
Concerto In B Flat Major, Wq. 171: Adagio
Concerto In B Flat Major, Wq. 171: Allegro assai

Amazon.com

In the 18th century, when you said "Bach" it wasn't Johann Sebastian you were talking about, but his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel. An official member of Frederick the Great's Prussian musical establishment, C. P. E. Bach was the greatest keyboard virtuoso of his age. He wrote the definitive treatise on keyboard technique and the art of ornamentation, and presided over the transition from the Baroque to the Classical styles. His own compositions are numerous and of extremely high quality, though not at all well known today. His concertos, symphonies, and sonatas are noteworthy for their unpredictable and highly emotional--indeed almost Romantic--intensity. This inexpensive disc makes an ideal introduction to a composer whose works are enjoying a major revival. Come and hear why! --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Belongs in every classical lovers collection.......2006-10-06

Even though I thouroughly enjoyed all of the Naxos CPE Bach discs, this one is my favorite. Even though originally composed for other instruments and transcribed by Bach, these concertos work perfectly with the cello and are well performed by Hugh and the orchestra.
The two concertos in A are out and out masterpieces with long, palpably emotional slow movements that as the Amazon review states have almost Romantic feel but the outer movemements are Classical in their mixture of their exuberance and restraint d concerto is almost as good.
This CD is one that I have listened to several times without becoming bored and always tearing up at this beautiful music.

Average customer rating:

C.P.E. Bach: The 3 Cello Concertos

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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C.P.E. BACH COMPLETE FLUTE CONCERTOS
Sonatas And Rondos
Carl Stamitz: Cello Concertos Nos. 1-3
Dvorák: Legends
The Bach Album

ASIN: B0000016OD
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

Cello Concerto in A flat minor: I. Allegro assai
Cello Concerto in A flat minor: II. Andante
Cello Concerto in A flat minor: III. Allegro assai
Cello Concerto in B flat major: I. Allegretto
Cello Concerto in B flat major: II. Adagio
Cello Concerto in B flat major: III. Allegto assai
Cello Concero in A Major: I. Allegro
Cello Concero in A Major: II. Largo con sordini, mesto
Cello Concero in A Major: III. Allegro assai

C.P.E. Bach: Cello Concertos - Anner Bylsma / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / Gustav Leonhardt

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C.P.E. Bach: Cello Concertos - Anner Bylsma / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / Gustav Leonhardt
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Composer) , Gustav Leonhardt (Conductor) , Anner Bylsma (Cello) , and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004VFXS
Release Date: 1990-03-15

Vivaldi, Tartini, C.P.E. Bach, Casadesus - Mstislav Rostropovich, Rudolf Barshai

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Vivaldi, Tartini, C.P.E. Bach, Casadesus - Mstislav Rostropovich, Rudolf Barshai

Manufacturer: Russian Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0006IC3TM

Product Description

ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741). Cello Concerto in G Major, RV 413: 1. Allegro 2. Largo 3. Allegro. Cello Concerto in G Major, RV 417: 4. Allegro 5. Andante 6. Allegro. GIUSEPPE TARTINI (1692-1770). Cello Concerto in A Major: 7. Allegro 8. Larghetto 9. Allegro assai. CARL PHILIPP EMMANUEL BACH (1714-1788). Cello Concerto in B Flat Major, Wq. 171: 10. Allegro 11. Adagio 12. Allegro assai. HENRI GUSTAVE CASADESUS (1879-1947) (attr. Johann Christian Bach). Cello Concerto in C Minor: 13. Alllegro molto ma maestoso 14. Adagio molto espressivo 15. Allegro molto. Total time 70:10. Mstislav Rostropovich (cello). Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai. Recorded live in the Large Hall of Moscow Conservatory on September 6 (1 - 9) and 17, 1963. Remastered for Compact Disc by L. Abelyan. STEREO.

J. S. Bach: Violin Concertos; C. P. E. Bach: Cello Concerto

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J. S. Bach: Violin Concertos; C. P. E. Bach: Cello Concerto

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000025C5V
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Tracks:

Con in d, BWV 1043: I. Vivace - Jonathan Rees/Jane Murdoch/Sally Heath
Con in d, BWV 1043: II. Largo Ma Non Tanto - Jonathan Rees/Jane Murdoch/Sally Heath
Con in d, BWV 1043: III. Allegro - Jonathan Rees/Jane Murdoch/Sally Heath
Vn Con in g (From Hpd Con in f, BWV 1056): I. Moderato
Vn Con in g (From Hpd Con in f, BWV 1056): II. Largo
Vn Con in g (From Hpd Con in f, BWV 1056): III. Presto
Vn Con in E, BWV 1042: I. Allegro
Vn Con in E, BWV 1042: II. Adagio
Vn Con in E, BWV 1042: III. Allegro Assai
Vc Con in A, Wq 172 (H439): I. Allegro - Caroline Dale/Sally Heath
Vc Con in A, Wq 172 (H439): II. Largo - Caroline Dale/Sally Heath
Vc Con in A, Wq 172 (H439): III. Allegro Assai - Caroline Dale/Sally Heath

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C.P.E. Bach: Cello Concertos

Manufacturer: Ebs
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000044LJ
Release Date: 1994-04-13

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Cello Concertos

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000E43C
Release Date: 1990-07-03