C. P. E. Bach reissues
2015; Oxford University Press; Volume: 43; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1093/em/cav068
ISSN1741-7260
Autores Tópico(s)Diverse Musicological Studies
ResumoCarl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s anniversary last year brought forth quite a number of interesting and appealing new recordings (see Early Music, xlii/4 (2014), pp.664–7), but it is actually the reissue recordings that make one realize that the composer is finally making it into the musical mainstream, and not just travelling on his father’s reputational coat-tails. Three large collections have appeared from Brilliant Classics, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi and Warner Classics, and the prices average only around £2 per disc; inevitably they are of slightly mixed quality, with a few out-dated recordings, but for the most part include impressive performances from the leading players of the last few generations. By far the largest set comes from Brilliant Classics, who have made a specialty of very substantial single-composer collections and complete works in recent years: their Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Edition (Brilliant Classics 94640, rec 1985–2013, 1768′) comprises no fewer than 30 CDs. Unlike the DHM and Warner sets (below), Brilliant Classics supplement their own many new recordings with material licensed from other labels, such as Dux, Edel, Nimbus, Phoenix and Tactus. The trade-off here between consistent quality of recordings and of repertory coverage is one that is worth making, however: as well as nine discs of symphonies and concertos, there are six of chamber music, nine of keyboard works and six of vocal music, allowing the listener to appreciate the impressive breadth, quality and imagination of C. P. E. Bach’s large output. The great majority of performances are on period instruments, and even those using modern forces are Historically Informed.
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