Search - Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Les Amis de Philippe :: C. P. E. Bach: Trio Sonatas, Wq 144-151

Rare and lovely music

Hoyle Osborne | Aztec, NM United States | 01/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The revival of 18th-Century music and performance practice that has taken place over the past 50 years has made rare and beautiful music like these trio sonatas by CPE Bach available to listeners seeking something unfamiliar. CPE Bach's music is perfectly poised at the transition between baroque and classical styles. His trio sonatas foreshadow the classical string quartet.

The sonatas are interpreted with care and feeling by Les Amis de Philippe, featuring Manfredo Zimmermann playing wooden flute, and Manfredo Kraemer on baroque violin. Kraemer is best-known for his many years as concert master of Jordi Savall's Hesperion XX (and XXI) and Les Concert des Nations.

This is music of uncommon beauty and grace. It serves beautifully as laid-back background music, with many felicitous touches to reward one who gives it closer attention."