JC Bach: Symphonies concertantes
Published:
COMPOSERS: JC Bach
LABELS: ASV Quicksilva
WORKS: Symphonies concertantes
PERFORMER: London Festival Orchestra/Ross Pople
CATALOGUE NO: CD QS 6138 DDD (1989)
Though cheerful and elegant, these symphonies concertantes confirm Johann Christian’s reputation as one of the Bach family’s more lightweight talents. The music has a genial charm, most evident in the E flat work for two clarinets and bassoon, but its lack of bite is accentuated by the London Festival Orchestra’s smooth, modern stylings. The English Concert’s disc of quintets (Archiv 423 385-2) remains a fresher, more vivacious introduction to the London Bach. Graham Lock