Search - Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Concerto Armonico (Budapest), Miklós Spányi :: Bach: Complete Keyboard Concertos Vol. 4

Four-and-a-half stars, really

Jonathan J. Casey | the twin cities | 01/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"But who's counting? This is the first CD by the period-instrument ensemble Concerto Armonico that I've ever purchased, and I'm really impressed. Their attack and verve is intoxicating. This is an exciting recording from the get-go, and the recorded sound is excellent (the BIS label has impressed me in this regard before, namely Sibelius Symphony No. 5 with Jarvi and the Gothenburg Symphony). The acoustics give this smallish ensemble a surprisingly large sound, without losing any detail. Spanyi is a good keyboard player, though not in the league of Andreas Staier or Malcolm Bilson. These are not the most demanding concertos, however, and Spanyi is by no means a bad soloist. He certainly deserves esteem for his revival of C.P.E. Bach's music. Note: the first two concertos on this CD are performed on the harpsichord, while the D major work is performed on an early fortepiano--this is Spanyi's choice, not the specific wish of the composer, but it works fine. I'd give this a 5 if the repertoire was more essential than it is, but if you enjoy early keyboard concertos (especially those of J.S. Bach), or are interested in the shift from the baroque to classical style, you should give this a try. I also recommend Ton Koopman and Tini Mathot's recording (on Erato) of the C.P.E. Bach double keyboard concertos, one for 2 harpsichords, the other for the unusual combination of harpsichord and fortepiano."