Bach Family Motets = Music by J.C. BACH; J.M. BACH; J. BACH; J.L. BACH – Liz Kenny, theorbo/ Helen Gough, bass violin/ Keri Dexter, organ/ Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/ Timothy Brown – Brilliant 93801, 53:52 ***1/2 [Distr. by E1]:
Let’s be clear about whom we are dealing with: JC Bach is Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703), while JM is Johann Michael (1648-94). Both are Sebastian’s cousins, Christoph being the more famous here, and certainly the better composer, about whom Sebastian said “he was a profound composer”. He had a position in the courts of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt and Eisenach where he was exposed to the most advanced styles of the age, shown to good result in the music on this disc. Michael, whose progeny included the daughter that would become Sebastian’s first wife, is more readily Italian in his style, giving great emphasis to the textual elements of his work.
JL stands for Johann Ludwig (1677-1731), a second cousin of the great Bach, one who actually made copies of his more famous relative’s music during his lifetime and performed them as well. Only eight years older than Sebastian, Ludwig made a career in Meiningen, where the Italian influences caused him to write in a most colorful and outgoing manner. Sebastian loved his music and made copies for performances in Leipzig. Finally, J Bach (1604-73) is another Johann sans Sebastian, the earliest composer on this recording, great uncle of great Bach and uncle to Christoph and Michael. Stylistically one would anticipate a different sort of music, and this is what we get, not unlike the type that Schutz introduced from Italy. I am not sure how great I would consider this music, but it is very interesting to hear.
Timothy Brown is a noted conductor of much repute, and the Clare College Choristers sing with special dedication and involvement to this creative concept album, documenting at least in part the varied talents and abilities of the most musical family to have ever walked the planet. The sound is good solid digital from about 12 years ago recorded at St. Bartholomew’s in Suffolk, and should prove acceptable to anyone intrigued by the music of the Bach family that doesn’t involve the Great One or his sons. Don’t get me wrong—those boys are still the best—but it is nice to be able to hear the music of the forebears, and the talent that resides among them.
— Steven Ritter
