Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

If we were to travel back in time and interview Mozart about Bach he would assume we meant Carl Philipp Emanuel (1714-1788) who, at that time, had eclipsed his father Johann Sebastian. How times change but we must not be too quick to dismiss C P E as being merely a talented son of a genius father, as he wrote several pieces that remain in the classical repertoire to this day. The Austrian label Phoenix Edition is releasing a series dedicated to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach called, amazingly enough, 'Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Edition' and, if you do not mind, for the rest of this review he is going to be known as CPEB. This two CD set is a re-issue of a 1987 recording on the Capricio label so collectors of CPEB ought to check that they do not have the earlier release before buying this one. Indeed, unless you are a completist collector I see no reason to buy this version if you have any other recording of 'Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu' ('The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus'), CPEB's best known choral work. Not that there is anything wrong with this recording and, indeed, there are many things right with it but it is not the definitive take. The soloists, Barbara Schlick (soprano), Christoph Pregardien (tenor) and Stephen Varcoe (bass) are all competent but none have that secret ingredient that elevates them into the "must hear" category. Probably the strongest selling point is the additional cantata that fills up Disc Two: 'Gott hat den Herrn auferwecket' that deserves a second listen. So, to sum up, this is worth hearing but probably not worth buying.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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