A thread (there isn't one already?) for all things Bach-Family, but not (mainly) J.S.B.
(https://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/09/Forbes_Classical-CD-of-the-Week_JCF-BACH-Miserere-MDG_Laurson_960.jpg?width=960)
Classical CD Of The Week: Wake Up To Bach Beyond "J.S." (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/09/01/classical-cd-of-the-week-wake-up-to-bach-beyond-j-s/#773a4a041ac7)
(https://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/07/Forbes_Classical-CD-of-the-Week_Johann-Bernhard-BACH-Ouvertures-Overtures_Ricercar_Laurson_1200-1200x469.jpg?width=960)
Classical CD Of The Week: Who Is Johann Bernhard Bach? (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/07/26/classical-cd-of-the-week-who-is-johann-bernhard-bach/#735a7d4f297d)
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5qNdvoe4EdM/T385kcE3K6I/AAAAAAAAB6E/nR1C_9bD0sI/s1600/DIP-YOUR-EARS.png)
Dip Your Ears, No. 47 (Bach Family Matters) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/09/dip-your-ears-no-47.html)
Bach Family et al., Lamento, MAK, R.Goebel, M.Kožená
Archiv
Haven't watched this yet, but I plan to.
let's focus on the lesser known Bach family members
We all listen to CPE Bach and JC Bach but does anyone have any favorite WF Bach recordings?
Quote from: luk on November 26, 2023, 07:45:50 PMlet's focus on the lesser known Bach family members
Apologies if there is a better thread which did not occur to me.
Well, Johann Christian had long been a favorite of mine (perhaps I'll post favorite albums in a bit) but I must admit that until today I've completely ignored the output of the eldest, Wilhelm Friedemann. However, this studio recital of solo piano work has been sitting in my Spotify queue for a while. I found the initial fantasia intriguing and wanted to hear more but never got around to it.
(https://i.discogs.com/el5nEsIR4BLhCAdDmFPN5o4rmJa2TFlGllwRyS_4r4w/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:316/w:321/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE1MTE2/NTY5LTE1ODY4ODUy/OTQtNDM2MS5qcGVn.jpeg)
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Anthony Spiri Three Fantasias • Three Fugues • Three SonatasSpotify Edition (https://open.spotify.com/album/1By3llmxKwCelo1pTpmUl8?si=UR26-EMSTBueiEmMSGZw_Q) YouTube playlist
(https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_muMrXdwTR5a15EfZsv2LHCFmOT1b34O1M&si=j-Yb77MkKg5QB1rV)
Quote from: DavidW on November 27, 2023, 06:05:28 AMWe all listen to CPE Bach and JC Bach but does anyone have any favorite WF Bach recordings?
Robert Hill, polonaises. And Leonhardt too on a Philips CD.
@SonicMan46 requested here ASAP! I'm sure he has heard lots. ;D
(https://i.discogs.com/vc-YTEBV9URVBbQcxAg0Jj9lvT7PJmpRmFoBdN27GIc/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:350/w:350/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEwNzQ2/OTE5LTE1MDM1Njkw/NDItMjQxNS5qcGVn.jpeg)
Johann Christian Bach Six Sonatas, Op. 17 (2014, BC)
Bart van Oort, fortepiano
(https://i.discogs.com/Ew6FbHYZMrf6M0xMPR5RCTSgcKkmfykWS0BWkdO2uKA/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE0NDQ3/MTczLTE1NzQ2OTkx/MDEtMTg3OS5qcGVn.jpeg)
Johann Sebastian Bach Bach 333 The New Complete Edition (2018, Deutsche Grammophon)
Just thought I'd mention this edition of Papa Bach's work. It's a superlative collection of artists and interpretations and for all the bad mouthing Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jjc7SCCeXZ0PmvnKZgjpx?si=03185ca5786c40bb)has received they're the only service streaming collections like this free of charge (w/ads, of course). The Premium tier is obviously the better option but for students and other cash strapped folk it's a blessing.
Good luck with securing a copy of the actual box set!
;D
Thanks Ando, the box set looks incredible. btw the set is easily available on Amazon. And it looks like DG curated recordings and artists even outside their record label family. It is an absolutely incredibly set even though it costs $500. It even has a Bach after Bach section.
Quote from: DavidW on December 27, 2023, 10:04:54 AMThanks Ando, the box set looks incredible. btw the set is easily available on Amazon. And it looks like DG curated recordings and artists even outside their record label family. It is an absolutely incredibly set even though it costs $500. It even has a Bach after Bach section.
The 333 box is beautiful.
If I hadn't secured a copy of the bootleg complete Hänssler version that they pulled from rotation years ago I might sprung for it. :P
(https://i.discogs.com/u5VBvDGoo1__aHKp7l_oKMLOHJVQzVm3VuqSulrRBxU/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:270/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTI5MjUx/OTIxLTE3MDMwMzI0/NzQtMTU2NS5qcGVn.jpeg)
However you can get it, the more Bach the better. Course, not everyone feels this way:
(https://www.jpc.de/image/w600/front/0/0794881852925.jpg)
C.P.E. Bach Symphonies & Concertos Alperman, Bruns, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin (2001, Harmonia Mundi)
Currently streaming on several platforms this disc (https://www.amazon.com/C-P-Bach-Symphonies-Concertos/dp/B0012OQZZ2) is a good introduction to C.P.E. and contains a fine sampling of symphonies and concerti with splendid sonics but at a decidedly brisk pace. The
Symphony in E Minor Wq. 178, a favorite, benefits from this approach (imo):
Quote from: DavidW on November 27, 2023, 06:05:28 AMWe all listen to CPE Bach and JC Bach but does anyone have any favorite WF Bach recordings?
The 2cd set of his cantatas conducted by Hermann Max on Brilliant Classics was superb, imo.
Edit: and I see now that those make up the last 2 discs of the 14cd WFB "Edition".
https://www.brilliantclassics.com/articles/w/wilhelm-friedemann-bach-edition/
There is/was one pretty good Sony Vivarte disc with the Tafelmusik Ensemble that had the best known orchestral works by WF. IIRC Brilliant Classics had a 2fer with all? WF keyboard concerti, incl. the f minor that seems to be by Johann Christian. There is also a 2 harpsichord concerto by WF that is sometimes found as filler on a disc with CPE 2 keyboard concerti.
Quote from: SimonNZ on December 27, 2023, 07:31:04 PMThe 2cd set of his cantatas conducted by Hermann Max on Brilliant Classics was superb, imo.
Edit: and I see now that those make up the last 2 discs of the 14cd WFB "Edition".
https://www.brilliantclassics.com/articles/w/wilhelm-friedemann-bach-edition/
Ah, it's streaming on AM (https://www.amazon.com/Wilhelm-Friedemann-Bach-Edition/dp/B07BHNMN8P?tag=Edel_lf_edelme-21&ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&ascsubtag=d49c677ecc64805453a8d98e1fda4379&ref=dmm_acq_soc_us_u_lfire_lp_x_d49c677ecc64805453a8d98e1fda4379) (though I wouldn't pass up a CD purchase at the right price). Thanks!
Boy, the recording quality is mud, but wow, to be an audience member at this performance! It's one of the things I miss most about living in New York City. My Wednesdays at 1 free performances at Tully outings simply can't be replaced. But C.P.E. Bach competently played
anywhere is worth a sitting. Here's his
Cello Concerto in A Minor performed by students at Schola Cantorum (https://www.fhnw.ch/en/about-fhnw/schools/music/schola-cantorum-basiliensis#:~:text=The%20Schola%20Cantorum%20Basiliensis%20is%20the%20best%20known,millennium%20%289th%20to%2019th%20century%29%20back%20to%20life.):
I'm listening to this interesting podcast on the family; it's more of an introduction than deep dive but making a nice breakfast accompaniment.
And I'm revisiting D. Hurwitz' discussion of C.P.E. Bach's music, including the big Hänssler box set which is indeed stunning -
A live performance of J.S. Bach's
Concerto A, BWV 1055 Gunther Rost, Leitung & Orgel
Back to Wilhelm Friedemann; here's a fine performance of his
Adagio & Fugue in D minor, F.65. allmusic.com's Joseph Stephenson provides a nice capsule review (https://www.allmusic.com/composition/sinfonia-in-d-minor-adagio-and-fugue-f-65-br-c7-mc0002364465) of the composition. The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Ensemble-In-Residence performed the work live at their concert hall in Singapore on 18 February of 2023:
(https://i.postimg.cc/28QTVCTL/wfb1.jpg)
Incidentally, BC's now out-of-print
Wilhelm Friedemann Edition is available for streaming on YouTube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDbow7BjfyH3dG-QtqsCbrb9KO99xk7H1&si=4p9I5RrLPf41yf8z), Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/wilhelm-friedemann-bach-edition/1369910181) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/3oVvTqyvklxYwt0B5TQ3Il?si=i6ob1MzFRbyOPlzIybB5_g).
No one knows who in the Bach family wrote this one. But it was a delight to wake up to it this morning.
Sonata for Keyboard and Violin in G minor, H. 542.5 (presumably, CPE Bach)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FspxgxBJ/IMG-3037.jpg)
The Sons of Bach, Vol. 1: C.P.E. Bach Symphonies & Chamber MusicCello – Reinhold Johannes Buhl
Composed By – Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Conductor – Günter Kehr
Flute – Klaus Pohlers
Harpsichord – Martin Galling
Orchestra – Mainzer Kammerorchester
Viola – Georg Schmid
Violin – Günter Kehr
Sometimes I think that in the circles Johann Christian moved and the patronage he garnered, not desiring to make a false step often resulted in making rather predictable ones. Of course, this is the hindsight of centuries. Beautiful as his compositions often are they don't exactly challenge the listener.
J.C. Bach's famous
Symphony No. 6 in G Minor
At the opposite end, of course, is Wilhelm Friedemann, whose music offers little reward if you're not attentively listening -
Sinfonia (for strings) in F Major (https://youtu.be/ZgPKkiv2RAA?si=kDHaGgb8V0LWTk_O)
Quote from: ando on January 27, 2024, 06:57:03 AMSometimes I think that in the circles Johann Christian moved and the patronage he garnered, not desiring to make a false step often resulted in making rather predictable ones. Of course, this is the hindsight of centuries. Beautiful as his compositions often are they don't exactly challenge the listener.
J.C. Bach's famous Symphony No. 6 in G Minor
Why should music always challenge the listener? J. Chr. Bach was a pioneer and devotee of the style galant, whose aesthetics was about charming and moving the audience, not about challenging it. Is an unchallenging beauty less beautiful than a challenging one?
Quote from: Florestan on January 27, 2024, 08:35:16 AMWhy should music always challenge the listener? J. Chr. Bach was a pioneer and devotee of the style galant, whose aesthetics was about charming and moving the audience, not about challenging it. Is an unchallenging beauty less beautiful than a challenging one?
Not at all. There's all kinds of ways to "move" a listener. I'll never suggest that music should "always" be anything - except interesting. Part of my point was to characterize one of the ways the music of J.C. differs from both C.PE. and W.F.; far from a dismissal. But his penchant to please audiences is clearly more evident than either of the other two.
Quote from: ando on January 27, 2024, 09:32:37 AMNot at all. There's all kinds of ways to "move" a listener. I'll never suggest that music should "always" be anything - except interesting. Part of my point was to characterize one of the ways the music of J.C. differs from both C.PE. and W.F.; far from a dismissal. But his penchant to please audiences is clearly more evident than either of the other two.
Thanks for clarifying. I agree, totally. Actually, CPE's and J.Chr.'s aesthetics and soundworld could not be more different, what with the inwardness of the former and the worldliness of the latter. I can't imagime J. Chr. writing the Wurttemberg Sonatas any more than I can imagine CPE writing the Vauxhall Songs. :)
FYI: The Bach Family Tree (from JS Bach's great grandfather, Veit Bach)
No one's mentioned the music of Johann Christoph Frederick. I'm not sure where he stands among the sons of J. S. in terms of talent as I'm just discovering his work now. This well regarded Camerata Köln recording of J.C.F.'s
Trio Sonata in E Minor is a nice place to begin.
More on JCF Bach by pianist, Jermaine Sprosse -
on his new CD of keyboard works
interview on the JCF project.
(https://prospero.8merch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PROSP0074_4262353970331_JCF_Bach_Digipack-Front-1536x1280.jpg)
Apple Music
(https://music.apple.com/us/album/johann-christian-friedrich-bach-works-for-keyboard-solo/1692214414)
Came across this doc tracing the footsteps of J.S. in Thomaskirche, Leipzig with organist/conductor, Ton Koopman. Good one. The soundtrack is in Dutch, but the English captions are (unusually) good.
Well, I'm about to go through my
Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) collection and wanted to post in a potential existing thread but could not find one dedicated solely to him - this recently created thread on the 'Bach Family' will be fine. Brief bio below (much more at the link). In London, his fame was due to his opera works and to the famous Bach-Abel concerts. Unlike Handel who died a rich man, JC Bach who made similar career choices ended his young life (46 years old) in poverty (see last paragraph below).
JC Bach's list of compositions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Johann_Christian_Bach) was cataloged by Ernest Warburton's as
The Collected Works of Johann Christian Bach, and categorized as W... numbers. At present, I own just under 3 dozen discs of his works (much less than his elder half-brother CPE), so future posts will look at what I currently have and see additions are warranted, particularly in instrumental music. Dave :)
QuoteJohann Christian Bach(September 5, 1735 – January 1, 1782) was a German composer of the Classical era, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach. He received his early musical training from his father, and later from his half-brother, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach in Berlin. After his time in Berlin he made his way to Italy to study with famous Padre Martini in Bologna. While in Italy, J.C. Bach was appointed as an organist at the Milan Cathedral. In 1762 he became a composer to the King's Theater in London where he wrote a number of successful Italian operas and became known as "The English Bach". He is responsible for the development of the sinfonia concertante form. He became one an influential figure of the classical period, influencing compositional styles of prolific musicians like Haydn and Mozart.
By the late 1770s, both his popularity and finances were in decline. By the time of Bach's death on New Year's Day 1782, he had become so indebted (in part due to his steward embezzling his money), that Queen Charlotte stepped in to cover the expenses of the estate and provided a life pension for Bach's widow. He was buried in the graveyard of St. Pancras Old Church, London (Source (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Christian_Bach))
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Johann_Christian_Bach_by_Thomas_Gainsborough.jpg/440px-Johann_Christian_Bach_by_Thomas_Gainsborough.jpg) (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f6/JCBach_StPancrasOldChurch.JPG/440px-JCBach_StPancrasOldChurch.JPG)
According to the JC Bach catalog (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Johann_Christian_Bach), the first category are 'Keyboard Works', W A1 - W A31 - the initial 12 are the Op. 5 & Op. 17 Sonatas (12 total works) - I own duplicate recordings w/ a mixture of instruments; in Op. 5, Bart van Oort on fortepiano & Sophie Yates on harpsichord - in Op. 17, van Oort returns on fortepiano and Alberto Nosè is on piano (reviews attached). Not sure much more recorded exists beyond Op. 17 although there are some 4-hand compositions? Any suggestions? Dave :)
(https://www.brilliantclassics.com/covers/5028421946344.jpg) (https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d00001e0212d54765fce6e5f71016d851)
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Ingrid Haebler recorded a bunch of JCB for Phillips, all on fortepiano: the Opus 5 sonatas, plus flute sonatas and keyboard concertos. I have them as part of the Decca Haebler set. On their own, the concertos are still available on CD, but the others seem to be only DL.
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She seems to have recorded much more JCB than JSB.
JC Bach's Chamber Music - in the Warburton's catalog (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Johann_Christian_Bach), the second category are the chamber works, using the W B.. designation; a condensed version is shown below and amounts to about a 100 compositions, although instruments are often substituted, especially for the KB + violin sonatas, where a flute may be used (my example is Op. 16).
In my collection, I have just 6 CDs (one a MP3 DL burned to CD-R) which are shown at the bottom - plus the works are bolded in the listing with each recording listed in the footnote for those interested. What I find amazing is how little of JC's chamber works (now I'll come later to 3 'big' boxes from other categories) are present - searching Amazon and several of the European websites, there does not seem to be a whole lot more? So any suggestions would be appreciated - now there are several other recordings of Op. 16 (one on CPO alternating flute and violin but a poor review of the violinist; another with Spanyi on tangent piano but a poor review of the recorded sound). Dave :)
QuoteJC Bach's Chamber Music
W B1 - Harp piece (lost)
W B2- W B6a - Sonata for KB & Violin, Op. 10 (5 works)
W B6b - Sonata for viola da gamba
W B7 - Sonata for KB & Violin, Op. 10, No. 6
W B8 - W B9 - Sonata for KB & Violin, Op. 15, No. 3/4 (2 works)
W B10 - W B15a - Sonata for KB & Violin, Op. 16 (6 works)*"
W B15a - Sonata for viola da gamba
W B16 - W B19 - Sonata for KB & Violin, Op. 18 (4 works)
W B20 - W B26 - Sonata for KB & Violin, No. 1-7 (7 works)
W B27 - Sonata for KB & Violin in A Major
W B28 - W B29 - Trio Sonatas (lost)
W B30 - W B35 - Trio Sonatas, Op. 2 (6 works)
W B36 - W B41 - Trio Sonatas, Op. 8 (6 works)
W B42 - Trio for 2 violins & cello
W B43 - W B46 - KB Trios, Op.2, No. 1-4 (4 works)#
W B47a - KB Trio in A Major (Milanese version)
W B47B - W B48 - KB Trios, Op. 2, No. 5/6 (2 works)#
W B49 - W B50 - KB Trios, Op. 15, No. 1/2 (2 works)#
W B51 - W B56 - Quartet, Op. 8, No. 1-6 (6 works)+
W B57 - W B59 - Flute Quartets (3 works)
W B60 - Quartet in B-flat Major
W B61 - W B64 - Quartets 2 flutes, Op. 19 (4 works)!
W B65 - Quartet 2 oboes (lost)
W B66 - W B69 - KB Quartet, 3 lost (4 works)
W B70 - W B75 - Quintet, Op.11, No. 1-6 (6 works)@
W B76 - W B77 - KB Quintet, Op. 22, No. 1/2 (2 works)
W B78 - Sextet for winds, KB, & strings C major
W B79 - W B82 - Military Quintet, No. 1-4 (4 works)
W B83 - W B93 - Marches (11 works)
W BInc1 - WBInc6 - Variety of pieces (6 works)
W BInc7 - W BInc12 - Symphony Winds, No. 1-6 (6 works)
* Schenkman & Westcott, Op. 16 (fortepiano & flute)
" Ruggeri & Uinskyte, Op. 16 (harpsichord & violin)
+ Arai et al, Op. 8 Quartets (oboe, violin, viola da gamba, cello)
# Trio 1790, Op. 2 & 15 (harpsichord, violin, cello)
! Camerata Köln, Op. 19 (flutes, violin/viola, cello)
@ Hunteler et al, Op. 11 (flute, oboe, violin, B.C.)
(https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b273dc4d9cee3e1d3efdc4dedd91) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/614WH+8VbxL._UX500_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51TcKUFs6rL._UX500_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg)
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Quote from: SonicMan46 on May 20, 2024, 08:52:59 AM(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1Jp5kpjNyL._SL1500_.jpg)
You're probably not surprised but I like this recording! I have a thing for piano trios, though I first listened to it because I loved Trio 1790s Haydn set.
Quote from: DavidW on May 20, 2024, 09:25:39 AMYou're probably not surprised but I like this recording! I have a thing for piano trios, though I first listened to it because I loved Trio 1790s Haydn set.
David - just looked through my database - own 15 discs of
Trio 1790 (9 are in a Haydn box)!
For those looking at my previous post on JC Bach's Chamber Music, I missed a recording, first one below of the 'Six Wind Symphonies' (W BInc7 - W BInc12) w/ Eric Hoeprich on period clarinet along w/ 5 other performers on period clarinet, bassoons and horns. Also was stimulated to obtain a few more recordings in his chamber category, so Discogs had a couple CDs of interest (next two below); Consortium Classicum doing the same 'Wind Symphonies' but on MIs; Pinnock adds a couple more missing from my collection, a Quintet & Sextet. Dave :)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ScHDtxklL.jpg) (https://i.discogs.com/wNAOC_Ir0ReSmP7eAcvLUy4NppixP9LlMJdNkpr_zvQ/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:500/w:500/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTk4MTg4/MzEtMTQ4NjgyMTcw/MC04MjY4LmpwZWc.jpeg) (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51P8gqVnE4L._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
JC Bach's Orchestral Music - in the Warburton's catalog (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Johann_Christian_Bach), the third category are the orchestral works, using the W C.. designation; a condensed version is shown below and amounts to about a 100 compositions. The easiest way to collect most of these works are the 3 CPO boxes (17 discs total) w/ Anthony Halstead and the Hanover Band, recorded between 1994-2001 - I've indicated in the footnote below the W C.. numbers included. Dave :)
QuoteJC Bach's Orchestral Music (same link above)
W C1 - W C6 - Symphony, Op. 3, No. 1-6 (6 works)+
W C7a - Symphony, Op. 6, No. 1+
W C7b - Symphony in G Major+
W C8 - W C12 - Symphony, Op. 6, No. 2-6 (5 works)+
W C13 - W C15 - Symphony, Op. 8, No. 2-4 (3 works)+
W C16a - Symphony in C Major+
W C16b - Symphony in C Major
W C17a - Symphony in B-flat Major+
W C17b - Symphony, Op. 9, No. 1+
W C18a - Symphony in E-flat Major+
W C18b - Symphony, Op. 9, No. 2+
W C19 - Symphonie périodique
W C20 - W C25 - Symphony, Op. 12 (lost - 6 works)
W C26- W C28 - Symphony, Op. 18, No. 1,4,5 (3 works)+
W C29 - W C30 - Symphony & Overture a 6 (lost - 2 works)
W C31 - Symphony Double Orchestra (lost)
W C32 - W C48 - Concertants, various instruments (18 works)#
W C49 - W C54 - KB Concerto, Op. 1, No. 1-6 (6 works)*
W C55 - W C60a - KB Concerto, Op. 7, No. 1-6 (6 works)*
W C60b - KB Concerto in G Major#
W C61 - KB Concerto, Op. 14 in E-flat Major*
W C62 - W C67 - KB Concerto, Op. 13, No. 1-6 (6 works)*
W C68 - W C73 - Harpsichord Concerto, No. 1-6 (6 works)*
W C74 - Concerto "nach Tartinis Manier" (lost)
W C75 - Piano Concerto in E-flat Major
W C76 - Violin Concerto in C Major#
W C78 - W C79 - Flute Concerto x 2 (2 works)
W C80 - W C81 - Oboe Concerto, No. 1/2 (2 works)
W C82 - W C83 - Bassoon Concerto x 2 (2 works)
W C84 - W C85 - Minuets Queens BD x 2 (2 works)
W CInc1 - W CInc4 - Symphony various keys (4 works)
W CInc5 - Concertante flute, violins, cello#
W CInc6 - Harpsichord Concerto in E Major
W CInc7 - Violin Concerto (lost)
W CInc8 - Flute Concerto in D Major (lost)
W CInc9 - Minuet in E-flat Major
*Keyboard Concertos box
+Symphonies box
#Concertantes box
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To me the best recordings of the symphonies must be those of Zinman with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, of Op. 6, 9 and 18, initially for Phillips and re-released on the Newton classics label, the CD I have. Halstead and the Hanover band have much, much broader tempi, The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra are a burst of energy in comparison. I first learned of these performances in a dictionary of sorts of conductors, in which this was singled out as Zinman's greatest achievement and as a recording of unusual energy. Highly recommended for fans of J.C. Bach, who I think wrote some wonderful music.
Incidentally, I have read Heinz Gartner's book on J.C. Bach ('John Christian Bach - Mozart's Friend and Mentor'), but that's very light on discussion of the music. Would love to get my hands on a copy of Charles Sanford Terry's earlier book on him, especially the updated second edition with editing and a foreword by C. Robbins Landon. In fact, may search for a copy right now!
Read somewhere: My favorite composers are the two Bach: Johann Sebastian and Jacques Offen. :D
Quote from: JBS on May 19, 2024, 03:47:28 PM(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wStQPZcTL._UX420_FMwebp_QL85_.jpg)
Interesting about these old Haebler recordings, they're actually sonatas for keyboard and violin, at least that's what everyone else has recorded them as. Actually, scratch that, Spányi and Csalog also made them into sonatas with flute, this time keyboard sonatas with "flute accompaniment". Even stranger is the 'flute sonatas op. 19' that Haebler also recorded with Kurt Redel -- years later CPO released their 'Op. 19', but it's 4 flute quartets? :-\ Sadly I'd need the Charles Sanford Terry book for the thematic catalogue, curious if anyone know's what's what.
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The Bach Family: Seven Generations of Creative Genius, Karl Geiringer (1954, Oxford University Press)
Internet Archive Edition (https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=594903eb76bfd23d6968143de13dcc5995335244a3e3c2dcd8d8547e0bf07256JmltdHM9MTczNTg2MjQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=070e7aa2-74cc-6912-02f5-6fb975cb6837&psq=bach+family%3a+seven+generations+of+creative+genius+karl+geiringer+summary&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9hcmNoaXZlLm9yZy9kZXRhaWxzL2JhY2hmYW1pbHlzZXZlbmcwMGdlaXI&ntb=1)
First read of the new year. Borrowed a first edition from my local library in surprisingly good shape. Fairly interesting read so far.
Quote from: ando on January 03, 2025, 06:28:33 AM(https://i.postimg.cc/qq1Rkf93/bachfamgeiringer.jpg)
The Bach Family: Seven Generations of Creative Genius, Karl Geiringer (1954, Oxford University Press)
Internet Archive Edition (https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=594903eb76bfd23d6968143de13dcc5995335244a3e3c2dcd8d8547e0bf07256JmltdHM9MTczNTg2MjQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=070e7aa2-74cc-6912-02f5-6fb975cb6837&psq=bach+family%3a+seven+generations+of+creative+genius+karl+geiringer+summary&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9hcmNoaXZlLm9yZy9kZXRhaWxzL2JhY2hmYW1pbHlzZXZlbmcwMGdlaXI&ntb=1)
First read of the new year. Borrowed a first edition from my local library in surprisingly good shape. Fairly interesting read so far.
Karl Geiringer was a respected and frequently quoted authority in his days, so this book ought to be quite interesting.
Quote from: prémont on January 03, 2025, 08:54:14 AMKarl Geiringer was a respected and frequently quoted authority in his days, so this book ought to be quite interesting.
He's a good writer.
Regarding the three CPO boxes of JC Bach's works, namely the ones for Keyboard Concertos, Symphonies, and Sinfonia Concertantes, how would you people rank these in terms of how essential they are?
I want to explore JC Bach more than I have, but his style doesn't seem compelling enough for me to get bazillion discs of his works (though who knows, that might change). I want to get just one of these sets for now, then expand further if I'm interested enough.
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I only know some pieces of each group. They seem all fairly representative, although the sinfonia concertante might be the most characteristic of this composer.
I'd say go for the symphonies concertantes set.
For smaller 1-3 disc selections I can recommend a bunch of symphonies (+ Mozart) by Akademie für Alte Musik (Berlin Classics) and a 3 disc set with Schornsheim mixing keyboard concerti by the Bach sons with lesser known mid-18th century German composers. There are similar anthologies, e.g. by Knauer on modern piano although with JS Bach concerti added to probably sell better.
Also consider the quintets (op.11, maybe there are two sets) with flute and oboe that have been recorded several times both on modern and historic instruments.
I like all those recordings, I suppose I mildly prefer the symphonies. I don't know what is essential to you so I can't answer your question.