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Haenssler Classic

C. P. E. Bach: Piano Concertos / Rische, Klaas, Leipzig Chamber Symphony

$20.99

Details

Composer
BACH, C.P.E.
Artist
Michael Rische, Kammersymphonie Leipzig, Klaas
Format
CD
Label
Haenssler Classic
Released
Feb 25, 2014
Catalog #
98027
UPC
4010276026617

About

There seems to be no plan at Hänssler to record all of the CPE Bach keyboard concertos on modern piano, but the three volumes that pianist Michael Rische has released thus far have been splendid, and generally superior to the competition from Miklós Spányi on BIS if only because Rische takes the composer at his word when he demands a really quick Allegro assai (Wq. 46 finale) or Allegro di Molto (Wq. 22). As in previous releases in the series, Rische offer two concertos with orchestra plus one from the group of six, Wq. 43, in the composer’s arrangement for piano solo.

Bach designed these latter works for popular consumption: they belong to his “easy” pieces, both technically (not really) and in terms of their moderate length and less weird than usual harmonic syntax. However, this doesn’t mean that the music is in any way bland or boring. Even in the brief central Adagio, only two and a half minutes long, Bach spins out a curiously affecting, consistently intriguing melodic line. Really, the man couldn’t write a boring keyboard piece if he wanted to.
Aside from the brilliant, early-ish D minor Concerto Wq. 22, the other major work is the double concerto in F major, Wq. 46, in which Rische is joined by Rainer Maria Klaas to make up a richly sonorous duo. There is only one other double concerto by Bach, specifically written for harpsichord and piano, which appears on the BIS complete cycle, but this wonderful piece deserves to be hugely more popular than it is. At twenty five minutes it’s a major work, with horns added to the string orchestra, and it would grace any concerto program.
As in previous releases in this series, the playing sparkles in the outer movements, and reveals a whole winning lyricism and sentiment in the central slow ones. Rische exploits the capacity of the modern piano fully, but always tastefully and stylishly, in the service of the music. The playing of the Kammersymphonie Leipzig is also excellent, here without conductor, unlike the earlier releases. First rate.
-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 9 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro 06:46
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    06:46
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische
    Ensemble
    Leipziger Kammerorchester
  2. 2 II. Poco andante 08:39
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Poco andante
    Duration
    08:39
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische
    Ensemble
    Leipziger Kammerorchester
  3. 3 III. Allegro di molto 06:24
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro di molto
    Duration
    06:24
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische
    Ensemble
    Leipziger Kammerorchester
  4. 4 I. Adagio - Presto 05:11
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Adagio - Presto
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische
  5. 5 II. Adagio 02:34
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische
  6. 6 III. Allegro 04:42
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Allegro
    Duration
    04:42
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische
  7. 7 I. Allegro 09:16
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    09:16
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische, Rainer Maria Klaas
    Ensemble
    Leipziger Kammerorchester
  8. 8 II. Largo 09:50
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Largo
    Duration
    09:50
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische, Rainer Maria Klaas
    Ensemble
    Leipziger Kammerorchester
  9. 9 III. Allegro assai 04:58
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Allegro assai
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
    Performer
    Michael Rische, Rainer Maria Klaas
    Ensemble
    Leipziger Kammerorchester