Celine Frisch Archive

BACH Family & J.J. Quantz: Viola – Roger Myers – Notos

by Audiophile Audition | Dec 15, 2017 | Classical CD Reviews

BACH Family & J.J. Quantz: Viola – Roger Myers – Notos 001- 59:39 (7/24/17) ****: (Roger Myers, Baroque Viola/ Celine Frisch; Harpsichord) Late 18th century works by Bach’s sons, featuring the newly-arrived viola in full flight. In the liner notes of this new release, Viola: Music of the Bach Family, we are told that C.P.E. Bach said of his father: “as the greatest expert and judge of Harmony, he liked to play the viola.” It is a perplexing comment. What is, after all, the connection between this instrument and Bach’s harmonic genius? And why does the instrument not feature in Bach’s admittedly small body of chamber music? Instead, there are three sonatas for its older cousin, the viola da gamba. Nowhere else does Great Judge of Harmony see fit to employ this instrument as a solo voice, although it makes an auspicious debut in the Concertos of Brandenburg. This recording presents works or adaptations for viola by three sons of Bach, as well as J.J. Quantz, the composer who edged out C.P.E. Bach at the court of Frederick the Great as lead composer. One work by J.S. Bach is included, perhaps as a reference point, illustrating the relative degree of […]