MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bach, (C.P.E.): Sinfonias for Strings [Hamburg Symphonies for Strings, Wq. 182 (H567-662)]

"Seldom has a musical composition of a more exalted, saucy, and humorous character poured forth from such an ingenious soul." This is what the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung reported following a private performance of the works of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. We should not forget that while we now consider Johann Sebastian Bach as one of the greatest musical geniuses, even during his lifetime the name "Bach" was principally associated with his second son, Carl Philipp Emanuel.

From the total of 19 Symphonies that C.P.E. Bach wrote, six are released on this album. These six String Symphonies, commissioned in 1773 by Bach's patron Gottfried van Swieten, perfectly represent the late 18th century Sturm und Drang movement in music. They are performed by world renowned harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock and "his" (The) English Concert, the orchestra he founded in 1972 and led for the next thirty years, and with which he pioneered performance on historical instruments.