VA - CPE Bach Edition: Symphonies, Concertos, Sonatas, Chamber Music [54CD Box Set] (2017)

Although the writing of music history purports to be an objective activity, it seldom does people justice, even allowing for the great differences of opinion as to what on earth “justice” means in the context of music history, particularly when a composer is involved. If one narrows down the dubious concept of fairness to appreciation, to classification as part of one of the great currents of development, one may venture a little further before realizing that fairness is not timeless, but subject to trends and conventions. CPE Bach remains subject to this fluctuation. When he was born, his more famous father JS Bach was shortly to be appointed director of music at the court of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar, whom he had previously served as court organist. By the time the younger Bach was an adult, he had come to be seen as “the” Bach of his generation. However, in the wake of his death, his star had become increasingly eclipsed by his father. Recent initiatives, however, are gradually starting to do his name justice. This extensive edition is intended to help listeners become acquainted with and appreciate his phenomenal music in its entirety. After all, CPE Bach was and remains much more than someone’s son.