C.P.E. Bach was a marvelous composer, and it’s rather amazing to consider that until BIS began this estimable series, the vast majority of his more than 60 keyboard concertos remained unknown. In addition to the concertos, Bach wrote another very interesting series of works that he called “Sonatinas”, which seem to be suites of movements for solo and orchestra in free form. The two included here, for example, consist of: first, an Andante ad arioso twice interrupted by keyboard solos, followed by an Allegro finale; and second, a Larghetto, Allegro, and a concluding Alla Polacca. Both are delightful miniatures. The Concerto in E-flat is a courtly work in which graceful orchestral writing alternates with brilliant solo licks, but the major offering is the big Concerto in C minor, full of C.P.E. Bach’s typical turbulence, Romantic sentiment, and surprising musical syntax. Miklós Spányi plays all of these works on a delightful-sounding tangent piano (a sort of cross between a harpsichord and a piano) with his customary verve and insightful musicianship. He’s very well accompanied and recorded too. Another fine entry in a very important series of recordings.
