Symphonies by the Bach Sons

Symphonies By The Bach Sons / Demeyere, Bach Concentus, Conductor: Ewald Demeyere, Orchestra/Ensemble: Bach Concentus, Number of Discs: 1 Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (1732-1795) was born in Liepzig and died in Bückeburg aged sixty-three. He was JSB's sixteenth child and ninth son. He combined performance with composition. His many works include chamber music, keyboard sonatas, concertos and the present two symphonies. Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) Bach was born in Weimar in 1714 and died in Hamburg in 1788 aged seventy-four. He was the fifth child and third son of the Master. He was a notable player of keyboard instruments, and also a considerable composer. A major achievement was as one of the originators of the 'sonata-symphony' form. This succeeded the old suite and dance forms. He held a sinecure at the court of Frederick the Great, but latterly lived in some obscurity in Hamburg, working as an organist and musical director in a number of local churches. Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) was born in Leipzig and died in London aged forty-six. He was the eighteenth child and eleventh son. His earlier life was spent as an organist in Milan and other Northern Italian towns. His pseudonym is 'The English Bach' due to the fact that he lived the last 25 years in London employed as an opera director and musical master to Queen Charlotte. J.C.B. wrote many operas, symphonies and instrumental music for the harpsichord. The CD cover is truly evocative - at least to anyone who has ever dreamt of discovering a 'lost' classic car buried deep in an old barn or disused garage. Volkswagens were never my favorite design of 'wheels' - that honor is reserved for the Austin Somerset which I have lusted after for near fifty years. Yet the picture serves it purpose: invocation of a selection of lost - or at least hardly 'well-kent' - symphonies.