Penguin Rosette Award Winner
Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 10/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"C.P.E. Bach often does not get the credit he deserves for his pioneering new ideas that led into the "classical" era. His influence on Mozart can be heard from the opening allegro of the G minor concerto - music that most people would likely identify as Mozart not knowing anything more. The concertos here are both fine compositions and performances - so much that Penguin Guide awarded this CD a top-of-the-class "Rosette" award.
I think the below reviewer was way too hard on the sound quality. It is really fine, clear and unobjectionable - Penguin calls it "first class" even. I think the sound slightly lacks some of the "punch" of the Philips DUO CD of many of the flute concertos (also rated highly), but I cannot see not buying this CD because of it. Naxos sound is usually "very good" but rarely "poor" or the "absolute finest" of the available choices. Where this CD contains all of the flute concertos, the Philips DUO CD does not but contains some other works for oboe and harp if you want more diversity. Both are fine choices for this music. 4.5 stars."
Flute perfection
Biblibio | 04/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"C.P.E. Bach composed some lovely concertos for flute. I'll also point out that they're not so easy. But Gallois plays perfectly. His sound is clear, beautiful, and always lovely to listen to. The music is both fun, dramatic, and exciting. It's everything any concerto should be. It's just by the other Bach, and it's just for flute.
Regarding the music, there are different feels for the different concertos. For example, the A-minor concerto feels slower (which, of course, it's not) than the others. The B-flat major concerto sounds almost like Mozart's style, but ah - Mozart snagged this style from Bach (this Bach)! Another goodie on the first disc is the sonata for solo flute, which besides being beautiful is emotional and lovely.
The next disc starts out bouncy with the A-major concerto. The G-major concerto once again gives a sort of Mozart feel while still wholly original. The strings have a long solo at the beginning where they display emotion and feeling. Then the flute kicks in, and it's just gorgeous. The CD ends with the D-minor concerto, which is very beautiful and played wonderfully.
It's an excellent CD for any flute lover, but also for any music lover. C.P.E. Bach was an excellent composer and these wonderful concertos are proof of his talent. The sound is perfectly fine (everything sounds all good to my ears), so no worries there.
Enjoy!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1