Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 01 | Bach The Student | 20151130 | Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the second son of Johann Sebastian, was born in 1714 in Weimar. A prank-loving, high-spirited child, he studied music with his father before going on to read law at universities in Leipzig and Frankfurt. He went on to become a highly accomplished keyboard player, a master of improvisation, and an extremely prolific composer for the instrument. We hear some of CPE Bach's earliest works, two of his sonatas written at just 17, and one of his first concertos. Presented by Donald Macleod. Solfeggio in C minor, Wq 117/2 Mikl s Spကnyi, clavichord Sonata in F major, Wq 65/1 Sonata in A for flute, violin and continuo, Wq 146 Helianthus Ensemble Concerto in G Major, Wq 3 Concerto Armonico P退ter Szuts and Mikl s Spကnyi, artistic directors Producer: Amy Wheel. Donald Macleod introduces some of CPE Bach's earliest works, including two of his sonatas. |
| 2015 | 02 | Accompanist To The King | 20151201 | Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach moved to Berlin in 1738 to work as an accompanist for the Prussian Crown Prince, who soon became King Frederick the Great. Though Bach went was to remain in this position for thirty years, Frederick wasn't that keen on his music! In return, Bach spoke openly to the King about faults in his flute playing. We hear pieces written for the king; and emotion-filled piano sonatas, and a concerto composed for the amateur musical gatherings that were becoming popular in Berlin at the time. We also hear part of Bach's first large-scale choral composition. Presented by Donald Macleod. Prussian Sonata in C minor, Wq 48/4 Danny Driver, piano Solo Flute Sonata in A minor, Wq 132 Ashley Solomon, flute Concerto in D minor, Wq 23 Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord Collegium Aureum Magnificat (opening chorus: Magnificat anima mea Dominum) RIAS Kammerchor Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin Hans-Christoph Rademann, director. Donald Macleod on CPE Bach's move to Berlin to work as accompanist for Frederick the Great |
| 2015 | 03 | The True Art Of Music Publishing | 20151202 | More than just a composer and performer, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach also ventured into the world of music publishing. In 1753 he produced his Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments, considered one of the most influential teaching works of the entire 18th century. Bach's instructions laid out all kinds of innovative techniques including, for the first time, the use of the thumb in keyboard playing. We hear a sonata he published to accompany his Essay, a cello concerto, and a hugely popular symphony that would have been lapped up by his local amateur musical societies. Presented by Donald Macleod. Sonata No 6 in C minor, Wq 63/6 Miklos Spanyi, clavichord Cello Concerto in A major, Wq 172 Truls Mørk, cello Les Violons du Roy Bernard Labadie, conductor Symphony in E minor, Wq 178 Kammerorchester CPE Bach Hartmut Haenchen, conductor Am neuen Jahre, Wq 194 Dorothee Mields, soprano Ludger Remy, fortepiano. Donald Macleod explores CPE Bach's venturing into the world of music publishing. |
| 2015 | 04 | A Move To Hamburg | 20151203 | Bach obtains one of Germany's most prestigious music jobs. When Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's godfather, Telemann, died in 1767, Bach succeeded him as music director in Hamburg. Bach was happy there, composing prolifically, setting up his own series of subscription concerts, and holding popular musical gatherings at his house, alongside his day job. Presented by Donald Macleod. Gott, sieh Dein Volk im Staube liegen; Chorus: Oh Wunder! (Die Israeliten in der Wüste) Michael Schopper, bass (Moses) Salzburger Hofmusik Wolfgang Brunner, conductor Harpsichord Concerto No. 3 in E flat, Wq 43/3 Andreas Staier, harpsichord Freiburger Barockorchester Petra Müllejans, conductor Symphony in B minor, Wq 182/5 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Rebecca Miller, conductor 12 Variations of La Folia, Wq 118/9 Robert Woolley, harpsichord Lyda, Wq 202G/2 Trinklied, Wq 202/13 Klaus Mertens, baritone Ludger Remy, fortepiano. Donald Macleod focuses on CPE Bach's succeeding his godfather as music director in Hamburg |
| 2015 | 05 LAST | Composing Till The End | 20151204 | Donald Macleod talks us through the final years of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and we hear some of his last compositions Bach remained in Hamburg for the rest of his life, and continued composing until his death at the age of 74 in 1788. In his final years, he overcame tragedy with the death of his son, aged 30, entertained many visitors with his impressive improvising, and compiled a family history. We hear his masterpiece and swansong for double chorus, 'Heilig', and two works written in his final year - a string quartet and the Double Keyboard Concerto. Presented by Donald Macleod. Heilig, Wq 217 Wiebke Lehmkuhl, alto RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin Hans-Christoph Rademann, director Fantasy in C Christopher Hogwood, fortepiano Quartet in D, Wq 94 Nicholas McGegan, flute Catherine Mackintosh, viola Anthony Pleeth, cello Double Keyboard Concerto in E flat, Wq 47 Eric Lynn Kelly, harpsichord Jos van Immerseel, fortepiano Collegium Aureum. Donald Macleod focuses on CPE Bach's last years, introducing some of his last compositions |