November 2, 2015

  • Classic CPE Bach Symphonies Recording Re-Issued

     C.P.E. Bach: Hamburg Symphonies, Wq 182 and 183
    Kammerorchester ‘Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’/Hartmut Haenchen
    Brilliant Classics 94821
    Disc One: Total Time:  39:43
    Recording:   ****/****
    Performance: ****/****

    Disc Two: Total Time:  63:45
    Recording:   ****/****
    Performance: ****/****

     

    Here is a chance to revisit some great little transitional symphonies by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788).  The music lands essentially in the “Rococo” style that bridges the Baroque orchestral style with what would be Viennese Classicism.  C.P.E. Bach had inherited a great musical legacy of course and he took over duties in Hamburg from his godfather, none other than Georg Philipp Telemann.  The ten symphonies on this repackaged Brilliant Classics release explore the further development of a musical approach one can here in late Telemann (who died in 1767) whom the young Bach replaced as the Director of Music to the five churches there.  Originally issued on Capriccio back in 1988, these releases also appeared again in a repackaging several years ago as well.

    Disc one features the four symphonies “with obbligato parts’.  Essentially string pieces with Baroque intensity, they are notable for the way winds are used to add to the color of the orchestra.  These later works, appearing around 1778, are engaging pieces filled with some of the Sturm und Drang dramaticism and interesting harmonic turns that still make them worthwhile pieces to explore and enjoy.  What is often most fascinating is the way the music has this Baroque operatic sense with neat packages of lyrical wind exploration of “themes” in these immediate contrasts of full orchestra and smaller groupings.  The movements all essentially move from one to the next, more like a concerto grosso—a genre further suggested by the three-movements.  The structures tend to feature brilliant, fast-paced outer movements, coupled with slower, more emotionally wrought centers.  The harpsichord also is integrated into the ensemble to play along with the louder sections adding a more direct Baroque connection.

    The second disc covers the six string symphonies from around 1773.  Commissioned by the Baron Gottfried van Swieten, Bach was encouraged to let his imagination run wild without regard to difficulty of the resulting music.  As in the symphonies with winds, these too have interesting musical moments, often tied to intriguing modulations to unexpected key areas.  Today, one can find pleasure in hearing the way the pieces flirt with both past music and that which is already beginning to take shape.  The “surprises” that appear in these works, both dramatic gestures, and unique transitions between movements, continue to lift up this Emfindsamkeit style so centered in C.P.E. Bach’s music.  Perhaps among the most engaging though is the Symphony No. 5 in b, and an astonishing slow movement in the sixth symphony.

    These recordings come at the front end of the CPE Chamber Orchestra’s life.  Haenchen began shifting this ensemble to more period recordings and work, away somewhat from their “new music” trends.  Over the decades, they were shaped into one of Europe’s finest chamber ensembles.  All of this is on perfect display here already in performances that have long been critically acclaimed.  Of course, every time these discs appear one is want to complain a bit at the brevity of the first disc which surely had room for at least a concerto or other sinfonias.  However, at the $12 price tag, one can easily become acquainted with these great recordings.  Overall sound is fine and the quirks that appeared before related to barely audible traffic noise and a couple edits in no way detracts from these otherwise great performances.