C.P.E. Bach~Concertos

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
C.P.E. Bach was the second son of the great J.S. Bach, and in his day he was a far more famous composer than his father. His musical style is very exciting--full of sudden contrasts and emotional outbursts. One of his first patrons was Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who was a flute player of no small accomplishment. These concertos reflect Bach's thorough familiarity with the king's instrument, and what makes this album so outstanding is the fact that the concertos have a much-higher-than-average musical quality. Naturally, Galway plays them to the hilt. --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:

Con in c, Wq 43 No.4: I. Allegro Assai
Con in c, Wq 43 No.4: II. Poco Adagio
Con in c, Wq 43 No.4: III. Tempo Di Minuetto -
Con in c, Wq 43 No.4: III. Allegro Assai
Con in G, Wq 43 No.5: I. Adagio - Presto
Con in G, Wq 43 No.5: II. Adagio
Con in G, Wq 43 No.5: III. Adagio
Con in D, Wq 43 No.2: I. Allegro Di Molto - Andante - Allegro Di Molto - Andante - Allegro Di Molto
Con in D, Wq 43 No.2: II. Andante
Con in D, Wq 43 No.2: III. Allegretto

Tracks:

Con in C, Wq 43 No.6: I. Allegro Di Molto
Con in C, Wq 43 No.6: II. Larghetto
Con in C, Wq 43 No.6: III. Allegro
Con in E flat, Wq 43 No.3: I. Allegro
Con in E flat, Wq 43 No.3: II. Larghetto
Con in E flat, Wq 43 No.3: III. Presto
Con in F, Wq 43 No.1: I. Allegro Di Molto
Con in F, Wq 43 No.1: II. Andante
Con in F, Wq 43 No.1: III. Prestissimo

Customer Reviews:

I only have the LP.......2005-03-12

I purchased the LP back in 1985 and fell in love with these concertos. C.P.E. Bach's style isn't for everyone. However, I've always found his music original and very entertaining. So different from the curtsey stuff you hear from composers from the "stil galant", Bach really does his own thing. These particular concertos are alot of fun. Composed during Bach's mature period in Hamburg, there is alot of interesting theme development and crazy little runs that Emmmanuel loved to compose. I haven't seen any of these concertos on other releases so this might be a rare opportunity to possess these wonderful concertos.

I welcome feedback on this and all reviews at wstrnlibwarrior@yahoo.com

Van Asperen brings back the sounds of Hamburg.......2001-10-21

Up front, let me say that the performers here (not listed by Amazon at this writing) are Bob van Asperen, soloist and conductor, directing Melante Amsterdam.

This recording from the early 1980s, finally released on CD, presents C.P.E. Bach's six harpsichord concerti, Wq. 43 (Helm 471-6). The timing is rather short weight for a 2 CD set, clocking in at just under 90 minutes (and in the original 1984 issue of this recording, which I chanced upon in a secondhand bookstore in 1998, the whole thing fit on a "double play cassette"). Nevertheless, this is a very welcome addition to the C.P.E. discography, consisting of what appears to be the only complete recording of this set of concertos. The only other disc of this music I have found contains only one of the concertos, Wq. 43/5 (Trevor Pinnock's 1975 recording "Sons of Bach" on CRD, catalog number 3311).

Each of these concertos are clever little works that average about 15 minutes each, sometimes experimenting with cyclical and reprise forms (such as the c minor and G Major concertos), often indulging in the unexpected and in musical wit, in Emanuel's most characteristic style (e.g., the unusual keys of the middle movements, or of the E flat's finale, which launches in f minor before "righting itself" in the home key).

Van Asperen and his forces play with verve and a good sense of the style; they are clearly quite at home in Emanuel's "empfindsam" vein. A few oddities about the set are easily borne, such as the retention of the order of the original 1984 release (for some reason, the concertos were placed in the order 4, 5, 2, 6, 3, 1, instead of the way C.P.E. published them; surely this could have been rectified in the CD reissue), or van Asperen not playing continuo during concertos 4 and 5, but only the solos (compare Pinnock's recording of no. 5, where the continuo is played under the "tutti" portions throughout; perhaps van Asperen was busy using his hands to direct the Melante players?).

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.

C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concertos; Oboe Concertos; Harp Solo

Average customer rating:

Excellent performances of good music
Delightful Chamber Music

C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concertos; Oboe Concertos; Harp Solo

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

CPE Bach: Symphonies (Wq 182, 183); Cello Concertos (Wq 170-172) /Bylsma * OAE * Leonhardt
C.P.E. Bach: Hamburg Sinfonias Nos. 1-6
C.P.E. Bach: Sonatas for Flute and Harpsichord, WQ . 83-87
Geminiani: Concerti Grossi Op. 3 Nos. 5 & 6, Op. 7 Nos. 1-6
Mendelssohn: String Symphonies Nos. 1 - 6

ASIN: B0000041AI
Release Date: 1995-01-17

Tracks:

Flute Concerto In A Minor, Wq 166: 1. Allegro Assai
Flute Concerto In A Minor, Wq 166: 2. Andante
Flute Concerto In A Minor, Wq 166: 3. Allegro Assai
Flute Concerto In B Flat, Wq 167: 1. Allegretto
Flute Concerto In B Flat, Wq 167: 2. Adagio
Flute Concerto In B Flat, Wq 167: 3. Allegro Assai
Oboe Concerto In E Flat, Wq 165: 1. Allegro
Oboe Concerto In E Flat, Wq 165: 2. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Oboe Concerto In E Flat, Wq 165: 3. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Solo In G Minor, Wq 135 For Oboe And Continuo: 1. Adagio
Solo In G Minor, Wq 135 For Oboe And Continuo: 2. Allegro
Solo In G Minor, Wq 135 For Oboe And Continuo: 3. Vivace

Tracks:

Flute Concerto In A, Wq 168: 1. Allegro
Flute Concerto In A, Wq 168: 2. Largo Con Sordini, Mesto
Flute Concerto In A, Wq 168: 3. Allegro Assai
Flute Concerto In G, Wq 169: 1. Allegro Di Molto
Flute Concerto In G, Wq 169: 2. Largo
Flute Concerto In G, Wq 169: 3. Presto
Oboe Concerto In B Flat, Wq 164: 1. Allegretto
Oboe Concerto In B Flat, Wq 164: 2. Largo E Mesto
Oboe Concerto In B Flat, Wq 164: 3. Allegro Moderato
Solo In G, Wq 139 (For Harp): 1. Adagio Un Poco
Solo In G, Wq 139 (For Harp): 2. Allegro
Solo In G, Wq 139 (For Harp): 3. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performances of good music.......2002-05-19

This album does not contain some of the more innovative or emotional music of C.P.E. Bach, but the Flute Concerti presented here are vital, interesting music and quite difficult to play. Aurele Nicolet, the flutist here, does an admirable job, playing with both technical proficiency and fire, and conductor David Zinman does equally well with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. The Oboe Concerti are not quite as emotionally engaging, though there are some fine musical ideas and Holliger plays well. In short, a fine album to own, especially if you have been looking for musically creative flute music.

Delightful Chamber Music.......2001-12-19

Shows restrain and passion of CPE's days in Berlin under Frederick the Great, himself a flautist.

The passion of his keyboard compositions are here restrained, but dignified and reserved.

Favorite is Oboe Concerto in B Flat, with a magnificent performance on the Allegretto by Holliger.

Unique and rare harp concerto by CPE Bach, only one he did, is performed admirably by Ursula Holliger.

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.

Haydn & C.P.E. Bach: Concertos for Organ (Erato Label)

Average customer rating:

Haydn & C.P.E. Bach: Concertos for Organ (Erato Label)
Marie-Claire Alain , Theodor Guschlbauer , and Jean-Francois Paillard
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000E6IP
Release Date: 1989-05-11

C.P.E. Bach: Oboe Concertos, Oboe Sonata; A. Marcello: Oboe Concerto

Average customer rating:

Extreme Beauty
Jozsef Kiss is wonderful!
Good Music, Boring Performance

C.P.E. Bach: Oboe Concertos, Oboe Sonata; A. Marcello: Oboe Concerto

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beck: Six Symphonies, Op. 1
C.P.E. Bach: Keyboard Sonatas
Marcello: Oboe Concertos

ASIN: B0000013TX
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Oboe Concerto In B Flat Major: Allegretto
Oboe Concerto In B Flat Major: Largo e mesto
Oboe Concerto In B Flat Major: Allegro moderato
Oboe Concerto In E Flat Major: Allegro
Oboe Concerto In E Flat Major: Adagio ma non troppo
Oboe Concerto In E Flat Major: Allegro ma non troppo
Sonata In A Minor For Oboe Solo: Poco adagio
Sonata In A Minor For Oboe Solo: Allegro
Sonata In A Minor For Oboe Solo: Allegro
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Andante e spiccato
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Presto

Customer Reviews:

Extreme Beauty.......2004-08-27

I fell in love with this recording immediately. A former oboe player and lover of Baroque classical music, this is one of the best recordings of oboe music that I have heard. There's not a bit of reediness in it, just a pure, expressive, beautiful oboe sound. When I played it for a friend who still plays oboe, he too was impressed and immediately wanted to get a copy. The sonata and piece by Marcello are exquisite gems.

Jozsef Kiss is wonderful!.......2004-01-05

I think that Jozsef Kiss performs in a wondeful way. His soft, beautiful, melliflous sound catches the best, unusual sound of all. The music on this recording is very well chosen and naxos produce absolute quality on every CD. I am an oboe player myself, and the Marcello is so good, that I like to play along with it! The Sonata in A minor for Oboe solo, is well projected with excellent dynamics. Kiss keeps his sound even all the way the performance, and does not lack in sound in the top register and always uses notes in full length. His amazing breath control makes this an even better recording.

I totally disagree with the previous review!

Good Music, Boring Performance.......2000-01-16

The Marcello is an excellent piece, especially the adagio (music to open your veins by). Unfortunately, the oboe performance is limp, listless and mechanical. That Kiss can play such an expressive instrument without dynamics and feeling is remarkable. The recording also features plenty of distracting clicks & clacks from the instrument. Spend a few extra bucks and get a Holliger recording if you can find one.

In light of other reviews I gave this album another careful listen. I stand by my original assessment: the music is excellent, but Kiss is a mechanic, not an artist. "Kiss keeps his sound even all the way [through] the performance." Uh huh. That's exactly the problem. Kiss, it seems, has never heard of crescendo, diminuendo, expressivo, and seldom takes advantage of the instrument's emotive potential. Is some kind of weird music ideology at work here? "There's not a bit of reediness in it, just a pure, expressive, beautiful oboe sound." What? The oboe is a reed instrument--there better be some "reediness." That's what makes the "expressive, beautiful oboe sound" so great.

And yet ... this album is worth buying if you cannot find other performances of the Marcello and the C.P.E. Bach solo sonato. Both adagios and the first allegro of the Bach are superb compositions, and I haven't been able to find a recording of the Bach piece anywhere else.

Average customer rating:

C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concertos

Manufacturer: Collins Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003VXM
Release Date: 1993-08-24

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Un Poco Andante
III. Allegro Di Molto
I. Allegro
II. Largo Con Sordini, Mesto
III. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro Di Molto
II. Largo
III. Presto

Average customer rating:

Flute perfection
Penguin Rosette Award Winner
Gallois is an extraordinaire virtuoso !

C.P.E. BACH COMPLETE FLUTE CONCERTOS
Bach , Gallois , Mallon , and Toronto Camerata
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

C.P.E. Bach: The 3 Cello Concertos
Boccherini: Quintets For Guitar And Strings

ASIN: B00006L3VP
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Tracks:

Allegro Assai
Andante
Allegro Assai
Allegretto
Adagio
Allegro Assai
Poco Adagio
Allegro
Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro
Largo Con Sordini, Mesto
Allegro Assai
Allegro Di Molto
Largo
Presto
Allegro
Un Poco Andante
Allegro Di Molto

Amazon.com

The Flute Concertos of C.P.E. Bach are among the most dramatic and engrossing of this important composer's works. This Bach was a major influence on Haydn and Mozart, but the music is worth hearing in its own right, and the Concerto in A Minor, which opens this set, is one of the masterpieces of its era. Gallois and the Toronto Camerata use modern instruments, but their performances are permeated by the sensibility of Bach's era. They are clear and forceful, responding beautifully to the pre-romantic elements in the music, and Gallois even adds appropriate embellishments to his playing. The Concerto in D Minor may not be the composer's own arrangement for flute, but it sounds convincing enough. This is certainly the best set of C.P.E. Bach's Flute Concertos since the long-deleted Rampal set for CBS, and the performances are markedly superior to those on a recent Black Box CD. Add Naxos's bargain price and you have an irresistible acquisition for anyone interested in the early classical era. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Flute perfection.......2007-04-26

C.P.E. Bach composed some lovely concertos for flute. I'll also point out that they're not so easy. But Gallois plays perfectly. His sound is clear, beautiful, and always lovely to listen to. The music is both fun, dramatic, and exciting. It's everything any concerto should be. It's just by the other Bach, and it's just for flute.

Regarding the music, there are different feels for the different concertos. For example, the A-minor concerto feels slower (which, of course, it's not) than the others. The B-flat major concerto sounds almost like Mozart's style, but ah - Mozart snagged this style from Bach (this Bach)! Another goodie on the first disc is the sonata for solo flute, which besides being beautiful is emotional and lovely.

The next disc starts out bouncy with the A-major concerto. The G-major concerto once again gives a sort of Mozart feel while still wholly original. The strings have a long solo at the beginning where they display emotion and feeling. Then the flute kicks in, and it's just gorgeous. The CD ends with the D-minor concerto, which is very beautiful and played wonderfully.

It's an excellent CD for any flute lover, but also for any music lover. C.P.E. Bach was an excellent composer and these wonderful concertos are proof of his talent. The sound is perfectly fine (everything sounds all good to my ears), so no worries there.

Enjoy!

Penguin Rosette Award Winner.......2005-10-17

C.P.E. Bach often does not get the credit he deserves for his pioneering new ideas that led into the "classical" era. His influence on Mozart can be heard from the opening allegro of the G minor concerto - music that most people would likely identify as Mozart not knowing anything more. The concertos here are both fine compositions and performances - so much that Penguin Guide awarded this CD a top-of-the-class "Rosette" award.

I think the below reviewer was way too hard on the sound quality. It is really fine, clear and unobjectionable - Penguin calls it "first class" even. I think the sound slightly lacks some of the "punch" of the Philips DUO CD of many of the flute concertos (also rated highly), but I cannot see not buying this CD because of it. Naxos sound is usually "very good" but rarely "poor" or the "absolute finest" of the available choices. Where this CD contains all of the flute concertos, the Philips DUO CD does not but contains some other works for oboe and harp if you want more diversity. Both are fine choices for this music. 4.5 stars.

Gallois is an extraordinaire virtuoso !.......2003-03-01

This music is absolutely superb !! I did not know Gallois before. He is a great virtuoso. This music of C.P.E. is astonishing. A great discovery for me. But, of course, you have to love flute. This beautiful and rhythmic music is never agressive for the listener. And you'll have two CDs at a bargain price. I had some doubt about NAXOS recording. It has been confirmed after listening to this CdS on all of my CD players. The sound of the flute is very clear. But we can't heared the orchestra with clarity. The sound of orchestra, the strings in particular, is so unclear and bad that it's ruined most of the pleasure. NAXOS does it again !!! Poor label. Personnally, this is my last purchase of a NAXOS CD.

Customer Reviews:

If you can find this out-of-print disc used, buy it!.......2002-02-12

C.P.E. Bach, forever overshadowed by his father, was in his own right a very accomplished composer, as the works on this disc attest. Bach's flute concertos rank right up there with Boccherini's best cello concertos or Mozart's horn concertos. Their interpretation, too, is wonderful. This disc offers a great introduction to the works of C.P.E. Bach. If your curiosity has been peeked, try listening to his cello concertos (see Virgin, 2-disc set) and harpsichord concert (Seon/Sony, though it, too, might be out-of-print at this time).

Bach Would Be Pleased.......2002-01-10

Even if there were a glut of original-instrument versions of these concertos--which there decidely is not--this recording would go to the head of the class. First, flutist Rachel Brown is wondefully nimble in the pretty difficult outer movements of the concertos, with their double-tonguing passages that Bach tosses at the soloist like a series of dangerous switchbacks confronting a driver in the mountains. No troubles here for Brown; and in Bach's "pathetic" slow movements (to borrow Charles Burney's words), she brings great tenderness and charm to this moving music.

Then Roy Goodman, whom I haven't heard in concerted music before, is well beyond a merely able accompanist. As I'd expect from this true specialist, he shapes Bach's always-interesting orchestral music as if the orchestra and not the soloist has the best things to say in these concertos. This is fine, since Brown can more than hold her own against an orchestra, but of course where Goodman needs to accompany, he does so with sympathy, taste, and proper restraint.

As if this were not enough, the disc offers some interesting twists: For one thing, the D concerto is played in a version using two horn parts included in one edition of the harpsichord-and-orchestra arrangement Bach made of his music. The horns add to the drama and heft of the concerto, powerful though it is without them. And here, Goodman, who directs from the keyboard, uses a fortepiano, which makes Bach's forward-looking music sound even more so.

Add interesting notes from Brown herself and Hyperion's usually fine sound--here big and full but still airy, with the soloist placed in pretty much the same plane as the orchestra, as she should be. What you have is a thoroughly winning disc.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Rough & Tough: Best of

The Mengelberg Edition

The Inside Story [Import]

On the Sunny Side of the Street

Instant Live: The Odeon - Cleveland, OH, 12/04/03 [Live]

Trials and Tribulations

The Very Best of the Manhatan Transfer

The Harold Wayne Collection, Vol. 26

Billy Mayerl - Original Recordings, Vol. 1

The Lady Wants to Know