C.P.E. Bach: Prussian Sonatas / Susan Alexander-Max

Notes and Editorial Reviews

CPE Bach was a chamber musician at the court of Frederick the Great for nearly three decades. He was also one of the greatest keyboard players in Europe. His compositional mastery is exemplified by the six ‘Prussian’ Sonatas of 1742, works of great expression and stylistic interest. His desire to explore ‘musical speech’ was accompanied by bold contrasts, tremendous dynamism, and acute sensitivity for the shaping of slow movements. These reveal his inventive, forward-thinking harmonies that both acknowledge the past but also strike out in vivid new directions. CPE Bach was a chamber musician at the court of Frederick the Great for nearly three decades. He was also one of the greatest keyboard players in Europe. His compositional mastery is exemplified by the six ‘Prussian’ Sonatas of 1742, works of great expression and stylistic interest. His desire to explore ‘musical speech’ was accompanied by bold contrasts, tremendous dynamism, and acute sensitivity for the shaping of slow movements. These reveal his inventive, forward-thinking harmonies that both acknowledge the past but also strike out in vivid new directions. Read less

Works on This Recording

Sonatas (6) for Keyboard, Wq 48: no 6 in A/H 29 by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Performer: Susan Alexander-Max (Fortepiano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1740-1742; Berlin, Germany

Sonatas (6) for Keyboard, Wq 48: no 5 in C major/H 28 by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Performer: Susan Alexander-Max (Fortepiano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1740-1742; Berlin, Germany

Sonatas (6) for Keyboard, Wq 48: no 4 in c/H 27 by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Performer: Susan Alexander-Max (Fortepiano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1740-1742; Berlin, Germany

Sonatas (6) for Keyboard, Wq 48: no 3 in E/H 26 by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Performer: Susan Alexander-Max (Fortepiano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1740-1742; Berlin, Germany

Sonatas (6) for Keyboard, Wq 48: no 2 in Bb/H 25 by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Performer: Susan Alexander-Max (Fortepiano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1740; Berlin, Germany

Sonatas (6) for Keyboard, Wq 48: no 1 in F/H 24 by Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
Performer: Susan Alexander-Max (Fortepiano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1740-1742; Berlin, Germany

Sound Samples

Keyboard Sonata in F major, Wq. 48/1, H. 24, "Prussian Sonata No. 1": I. Poco allegro

Keyboard Sonata in F major, Wq. 48/1, H. 24, "Prussian Sonata No. 1": II. Andante

Keyboard Sonata in F major, Wq. 48/1, H. 24, "Prussian Sonata No. 1": III. Vivace

Keyboard Sonata in B flat major, Wq. 48/2, H. 25, "Prussian Sonata No. 2": I. Vivace

Keyboard Sonata in B flat major, Wq. 48/2, H. 25, "Prussian Sonata No. 2": II. Adagio

Keyboard Sonata in B flat major, Wq. 48/2, H. 25, "Prussian Sonata No. 2": III. Allegro assai

Keyboard Sonata in E major, Wq. 48/3, H. 26, "Prussian Sonata No. 3": I. Poco allegro

Keyboard Sonata in E major, Wq. 48/3, H. 26, "Prussian Sonata No. 3": II. Adagio

Keyboard Sonata in E major, Wq. 48/3, H. 26, "Prussian Sonata No. 3": III. Presto

Keyboard Sonata in C minor, Wq. 48/4, H. 27, "Prussian Sonata No. 4": I. Allegro

Keyboard Sonata in C minor, Wq. 48/4, H. 27, "Prussian Sonata No. 4": II. Adagio

Keyboard Sonata in C minor, Wq. 48/4, H. 27, "Prussian Sonata No. 4": III. Presto

Keyboard Sonata in C major, Wq. 48/5, H. 28, "Prussian Sonata No. 5": I. Poco allegro

Keyboard Sonata in C major, Wq. 48/5, H. 28, "Prussian Sonata No. 5": II. Andante

Keyboard Sonata in C major, Wq. 48/5, H. 28, "Prussian Sonata No. 5": III. Allegro assai

Keyboard Sonata in A major, Wq. 48/6, H. 29, "Prussian Sonata No. 6": I. Allegro

Keyboard Sonata in A major, Wq. 48/6, H. 29, "Prussian Sonata No. 6": II. Adagio

Keyboard Sonata in A major, Wq. 48/6, H. 29, "Prussian Sonata No. 6": III. Allegro

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:

( 1 Customer Review )

Hoffman Grand Piano not so grand May 3, 2013 By n. jensen (gainesville, FL) See All My Reviews "I was looking forward to experiencing the CPE Bach sonatas but I felt the instrument sound very unpleasant. It felt clunky and uneven. It seems to me that the instrument is unable to play anything but staccato. Perhaps the piano is of historic interest but I suspect that the "Hoffman Grand" piano doesn't allow Susan Alexander to show her real skill and artistry. I would like to hear her using a more responsive instrument." Report Abuse

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