Avant garde.
Eccentric.
A maniac.
Wild and adventurous.
Off the wall.
Extraordinary.
No marketing hyperbole – this is how the player of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment describe Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach and his music. One of the many children of JS Bach, CPE Bach always lived in his father’s shadow, and now is an almost unknown figure at least beyond the classical cogniscenti. How can such an unknown be considered a gamechanger? A listen to his music reveals just why – it constantly shifts, wrongfooting the listener when they least expect it with wild changes of direction and colour – it is bright, effervescent, and is a fascinating link between the music of his father (and the Baroque era) and Joseph Haydn (and the Classical era).
Reviews
“Under Rebecca Miller's inspiriting direction , the crack players tear
into the fast movements with disciplined craziness … If you're still a CPE
novice, I can't think of a better introduction to his brand of inspired
eccentricity that these terrific, high-octane performances, live in every
sense.” Gramophone 2015
“The OAE under Rebecca Miller play with an accuracy and passion that's infectious: this is among the most exciting, adrenalin-filled period instrument recordings you'll hear.” The Arts Desk 2015