The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock - C.P. E. Bach: Symphonies for Strings (2004)

Composed in the Strum und Drang decade of the 1770s, C.P.E. Bach's String Symphonies (6) are every bit as good as the best symphonies of the time, and that includes Kraus, Dittersdorf, both of Haydn's, and a young Mozart. With strong themes, sensitive melodies, and startling harmonies set in unconventional structures, Bach's String Symphonies absolutely deserve a place in Haydn's Sturm und Drang symphonies as the most brilliant works of the classical period. Unfortunately, there have been few performances and fewer recordings of the works and most of the few recordings have been dim, dour, and not at all convincing. Not so on Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert's superlative 1979 recordings of Bach's String Symphonies, which are more than completely convincing. The Concert's playing is bright, robust, and surpassingly sweet with a wonderfully rich tone. Pinnock's conducting is muscular, insightful, and deeply expressive. Archiv's recording is clear, rich, and warm. Taken together, they easily present the most compelling performances of Bach's String Symphonies ever recorded.