COMPOSERS: CPE Bach
LABELS: Harmonia Mundi
WORKS: The Israelites in the Wilderness
PERFORMER: Barbara Schlick, Lena Lootens, Hein Meens, Stephen Varcoe; Corona & Capella Coloniensis/William Christie
CATALOGUE NO: HMA 1901321 DDD (1990)
This is wonderfully appealing music. CPE Bach was a leading light of the ‘galant’ style of composition prevalent at that time, which laid emphasis on the emotional, rather than formal, content of the music. William Christie et al respond wholeheartedly with a deeply felt performance, full of stylish touches and sensibly judged tempi. The choral contribution is the only weak link, with pitches being pushed up when the emotional voltage is raised. The solo singing is especially fine. Stephen Haylett
CPE Bach: The Israelites in the Wilderness
This is wonderfully appealing music. CPE Bach was a leading light of the ‘galant’ style of composition prevalent at that time, which laid emphasis on the emotional, rather than formal, content of the music. William Christie et al respond wholeheartedly with a deeply felt performance, full of stylish touches and sensibly judged tempi. The choral contribution is the only weak link, with pitches being pushed up when the emotional voltage is raised. The solo singing is especially fine. Stephen Haylett
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:28 pm