[Mandryka]

So I’ve been listening to CPEB’s Wurttemberg Sonatas, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard them before - I know the Kenner und Liebhaber and Prussian sets, but not these. And what struck me, this is just an informal impression you understand, is that the music seems very Haydn like. The same liking for stop start, the same penchant for the unexpected, sudden changes, and humour too. The music seems to me at least as interesting as Haydn’s, maybe more interesting than Scarlatti’s.

The only recording of these Wurttemberg sonatas on a suitable instrument that I could find is by Mahan Esfahani, it would be interesting to hear a more sensitive, less tense, keyboard player do them. Maybe Miklos Spanyi has recorded them, I’ll check later. It would also be good to hear them on other keyboards - clavichord especially, but a piano (fortepiano) of the period, with colours, stops, could also be fun. Did Leonhardt record any of them with clavichord?

 

[Mandryka]

An yes, Spanyi recorded them on a clavichord, and first impressions is that this is much more sensitive, more poetic and less boisterous than Esfahani on harpsichord. Spanyi’s all the Wurttemberg Sonatas I need at the moment!

 

[hammeredklavier]

Tell us more about singspiel.

Alas, not many have been recorded yet, it seems. There are a few more by Benda and one by Reichardt, composed in 1793.

Die Hochzeit auf der Alm, Schäfergedicht in 2 Aufzügen MH 107 (1768), which I posted in #434 is a singspiel, btw.

 

[hammeredklavier]

I'm only aware of 'singspiel' as a style of opera used by Mozart.

One interesting thing to note about the traditional singspiels, which I posted, Die Hochzeit auf der Alm, Schäfergedicht in 2 Aufzügen MH 107 (1768) and Die Wahrheit der Natur, Ein Singspiel MH 118 (1769) is that they lack foreign influences (compared to Mozart's), for instance, they lack coloratura arias of any kind in their numbers. Instead the numbers are more Lied-like; consisting of repetitious (since they're basically poems with stanzas set to music), rustic melodies that are catchy enough to not bore the listener each time they come back.

 

[Chilham]

Level 1
No works

Level 2
No works

Level 3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Sonata in G Minor "Devil's Trill"

Level 4
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Magnificat in D Major
Scarlatti, Domenico: Essercizi per gravicembalo K. 1-30 esp. K. 9 "Pastorale", K. 11, K. 20, K. 29, K. 30 "Cat's Fugue"

Level 5
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in E Major K. 380 "Cortège"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Hamburg" Symphonies esp. Wq. 182.2, 182.3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Concerto in D Minor
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Cello Concerto in A Major
Bach, Johann Christian: Concerto for Harpsichord or Fortepiano in E-flat Major Op. 7 No. 5
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute/Keyboard Concerto in D minor, Wq. 22
Gluck, Christoph Willibald: Don Juan, ou Le Festin de Pierre
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Sonata in G Minor
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in C Major K. 159
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in D Major K. 96 "Gigue"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Württemberg" Sonatas Wq. 49
Bach, Johann Christian: Symphony Op. 6 No. 6

Level 6
Abel, Carl Friedrich: 27 Pieces for Viola da Gamba "The Drexel Manuscipt" WKO 186-212
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Symphonies Wq. 183 esp. No. 1, No. 2
Scarlatti, Domenico: Keyboard Sonata in A major, Kk. 208
Bach, Johann Christian: Six Grand Overtures
Scarlatti, Domenico: Stabat Mater
Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann: 12 Keyboad Polonaises
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute Concerto in A Minor, Wq 166, H. 430

For me today:

Abel: 27 Pieces for Viola de Gamba

Petr Wagner

CPE Bach: Flute Concerto in A Minor

Emmanuel Pahud, Kammerakadamie Potsdam, Trevor Pinnock

CPE Bach: Symphony Wq. 183 No. 1

RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Hans-Christoph Rademann

JC Bach: Overture Op. 18 Nos. 1 & 4

Academy of Ancient Music, Simon Standage

 

[hammeredklavier]

""Klopstocks Morgengesang am Schöpfungsfeste, H 779, Wq 239"

 

[Mandryka]

Level 1
No works

Level 2
No works

Level 3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Sonata in G Minor "Devil's Trill"

Level 4
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Magnificat in D Major
Scarlatti, Domenico: Essercizi per gravicembalo K. 1-30 esp. K. 9 "Pastorale", K. 11, K. 20, K. 29, K. 30 "Cat's Fugue"

Level 5
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in E Major K. 380 "Cortège"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Hamburg" Symphonies esp. Wq. 182.2, 182.3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Concerto in D Minor
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Cello Concerto in A Major
Bach, Johann Christian: Concerto for Harpsichord or Fortepiano in E-flat Major Op. 7 No. 5
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute/Keyboard Concerto in D minor, Wq. 22
Gluck, Christoph Willibald: Don Juan, ou Le Festin de Pierre
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Sonata in G Minor
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in C Major K. 159
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in D Major K. 96 "Gigue"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Württemberg" Sonatas Wq. 49
Bach, Johann Christian: Symphony Op. 6 No. 6

Level 6
Abel, Carl Friedrich: 27 Pieces for Viola da Gamba "The Drexel Manuscipt" WKO 186-212
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Symphonies Wq. 183 esp. No. 1, No. 2
Scarlatti, Domenico: Keyboard Sonata in A major, Kk. 208
Bach, Johann Christian: Six Grand Overtures
Scarlatti, Domenico: Stabat Mater
Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann: 12 Keyboad Polonaises
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute Concerto in A Minor, Wq 166, H. 430

For me today:

Abel: 27 Pieces for Viola de Gamba

Petr Wagner

CPE Bach: Flute Concerto in A Minor

Emmanuel Pahud, Kammerakadamie Potsdam, Trevor Pinnock

CPE Bach: Symphony Wq. 183 No. 1

RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Hans-Christoph Rademann

JC Bach: Overture Op. 18 Nos. 1 & 4

Academy of Ancient Music, Simon Standage

WF Bach's Polonaises are well worth hearing. There's a recording by Robert Hill on Naxos, he uses a fabulous piano for them, his notes to the recording, which used to be available on the Naxos site, are inspiring. Just looking at Spotify, there are a lot of recordings - in fact I shouldn't be surprised given the quality of the music, it's good that they are finally getting the status they merit.

 

[Chilham]

Level 1
No works

Level 2
No works

Level 3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Sonata in G Minor "Devil's Trill"

Level 4
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Magnificat in D Major
Scarlatti, Domenico: Essercizi per gravicembalo K. 1-30 esp. K. 9 "Pastorale", K. 11, K. 20, K. 29, K. 30 "Cat's Fugue"

Level 5
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in E Major K. 380 "Cortège"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Hamburg" Symphonies esp. Wq. 182.2, 182.3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Concerto in D Minor
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Cello Concerto in A Major
Bach, Johann Christian: Concerto for Harpsichord or Fortepiano in E-flat Major Op. 7 No. 5
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute/Keyboard Concerto in D minor, Wq. 22
Gluck, Christoph Willibald: Don Juan, ou Le Festin de Pierre
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Sonata in G Minor
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in C Major K. 159
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in D Major K. 96 "Gigue"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Württemberg" Sonatas Wq. 49
Bach, Johann Christian: Symphony Op. 6 No. 6

Level 6
Abel, Carl Friedrich: 27 Pieces for Viola da Gamba "The Drexel Manuscipt" WKO 186-212
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Symphonies Wq. 183 esp. No. 1, No. 2
Scarlatti, Domenico: Keyboard Sonata in A major, Kk. 208
Bach, Johann Christian: Six Grand Overtures
Scarlatti, Domenico: Stabat Mater
Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann: 12 Keyboad Polonaises
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute Concerto in A Minor, Wq 166, H. 430
Scarlatti, Dominico: Sonata K. 141
Scarlatti, Dominico: Sonata K. 87
Abel, Carl Friedrich : Symphony No. 3 in D Major Op. 7 No. 3
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Die Israeliten in der Wüste
Stamitz, Johann: Symphony in E-flat major Op. 11 No. 3

WF Bach's Polonaises are well worth hearing. There's a recording by Robert Hill on Naxos, he uses a fabulous piano for them, his notes to the recording, which used to be available on the Naxos site, are inspiring. Just looking at Spotify, there are a lot of recordings - in fact I shouldn't be surprised given the quality of the music, it's good that they are finally getting the status they merit.

Well, I've got this lined-up for today:

WF Bach: 12 Keyboad Polonaises

Charles Lavaud

 

[Mandryka]

I knew you’d choose that one!

 

[Chilham]

I knew you'd choose that one!

:lol: ..................

 

[Chilham]

Crazy-busy day tomorrow so posting up the rest of this weeks recommended works this evening.

Level 1
No works

Level 2
No works

Level 3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Sonata in G Minor "Devil's Trill"

Level 4
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Magnificat in D Major
Scarlatti, Domenico: Essercizi per gravicembalo K. 1-30 esp. K. 9 "Pastorale", K. 11, K. 20, K. 29, K. 30 "Cat's Fugue"

Level 5
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in E Major K. 380 "Cortège"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Hamburg" Symphonies esp. Wq. 182.2, 182.3
Tartini, Giuseppe: Violin Concerto in D Minor
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Cello Concerto in A Major
Bach, Johann Christian: Concerto for Harpsichord or Fortepiano in E-flat Major Op. 7 No. 5
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute/Keyboard Concerto in D minor, Wq. 22
Gluck, Christoph Willibald: Don Juan, ou Le Festin de Pierre
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Sonata in G Minor
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in C Major K. 159
Scarlatti, Domenico: Sonata in D Major K. 96 "Gigue"
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: "Württemberg" Sonatas Wq. 49
Bach, Johann Christian: Symphony Op. 6 No. 6

Level 6
Abel, Carl Friedrich: 27 Pieces for Viola da Gamba "The Drexel Manuscipt" WKO 186-212
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Symphonies Wq. 183 esp. No. 1, No. 2
Scarlatti, Domenico: Keyboard Sonata in A major, Kk. 208
Bach, Johann Christian: Six Grand Overtures
Scarlatti, Domenico: Stabat Mater
Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann: 12 Keyboad Polonaises
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Flute Concerto in A Minor, Wq 166, H. 430
Scarlatti, Dominico: Sonata K. 141
Scarlatti, Dominico: Sonata K. 87
Abel, Carl Friedrich : Symphony No. 3 in D Major Op. 7 No. 3
Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Die Israeliten in der Wüste
Stamitz, Johann: Symphony in E-flat major Op. 11 No. 3

Level 7
Graun, Christoph: Der Tod Jesu
Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann: Symphony in F Major
Bach, Johann Christian: Concerto for Harpsichord or Fortepiano Op. 1, Op. 13
Abel, Carl Friedrich: Flute Concertos Op. 6, Op. 11

Honourable mentions for those composers who had recommended works here that don't appear in our Talk Classical Community's Favourite and Most Highly Recommend Works, showing their only or top recommended work:
Quantz, Johann Joachim: Flute Concerto in D Major
Hasse, Johann: Antonio e Cleopatra
Sammartini, Giovanni Battista: Magnificat in B-flat Major
Galuppi, Baldassare: L'Oracolo del Vaticano

I have thoroughly enjoyed my listening this week. It's been a real surprise. No single work has jumped out but they have all met a very high standard to my ear, especially the Standage/Academy of Ancient Music JC Bach works:

Squeezing this in:

WF Bach: Symphony in F Major

Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini

On to our first Opera Week from Saturday. We'll be checking in with composers born 1600-1799 who are (almost) exclusively known for opera. I recognise that it's an incongruous, non-homogenous grouping but without doing it, we'll end up with a log-jam later in the year. We'll have the opportunity to hear works from Arne, Auber, Boieldieu, Cavalli, Cimarosa, Donizetti, Gluck, Mercadante, Meyerbeer, Rossini, and Vinci, although maybe not from all given the time. The most recommended work of the week? I'll tell you on Saturday.

 

[new but obsessed]

As someone who discovered a passion of classical music through opera, I'm very excited for next week!

 

[hammeredklavier]

Tell us more about singspiel.

Der Baßgeiger zu Wörgl

Ach lieder, ich bin eizig schuld

 

[Miranna]

 

[Chilham]

Der Baßgeiger zu Wörgl

Ach lieder, ich bin eizig schuld

I'm beginning to think that your suggestion of telling us all about singspiel was just a rouse to post Michael Haydn YouTube links a month before we come to consider his music. I know you are big fan of Haydn Jnr. but politely request that you save your enthusiasm until we come to the week which includes composers born in 1737. Whilst not many of his works are recommended, it will be an interesting discussion I'm sure.

 

[Chilham]

We spent a week with Handel some time ago.

 

[hammeredklavier]

politely request that you save your enthusiasm until we come to the week which includes composers born in 1737.

Sorry about that; I sort of misunderstood your posts ("Tell us more about singspiel") and thought that you wanted us to discuss the stuff regardless of the "timeline". I also know Benda's 'Ariadne auf Naxos' and 'Medea', but it's just that I haven't found any of the individual numbers strikingly memorable (maybe not yet). Maybe we should have postponed the whole thing about singspiels to the next weeks, cause it's more a thing the later decades.

Bach, Johann Christian

Btw, J.C. Bach was born in 1735, after F.J. Haydn (1732). Because of this, I sort of assumed you "allowed" us post about composers born in the 1730s also.

 

[hammeredklavier]

Concerto in D Minor, Wq. 22, H. 425: I. Allegro

Concerto in E Minor, Wq. 15, H. 418: III. Vivace

Concerto in G Major, Wq. 34, H. 444: I. Allegro di molto

Concerto in G Major, Wq. 4, H. 406: II. Adagio

Concerto in C Minor, Wq. 37, H. 448: II. Andante ed arioso

 

[Chilham]

... Because of this, I sort of assumed you "allowed" us post about composers born in the 1730s also.

I was clear on which music period we were covering this week. You even quoted me.

16-22 April will be Michael Haydn week.

 

[Chilham]

So, our first opera week! Composers born 1600-1799 who are known almost exclusively for opera: Arne, Auber, Boieldieu, Cavalli, Cimarosa, Donizetti, Gluck, Mercadante, Meyerbeer, Rossini, and Vinci.

The most recommended work:

Level 1
Rossini, Gioachino: Il Barbiere di Siviglia esp. Overture, Largo al Factotum, Una Voce Poco Fa

My current approach to opera is that I have some of the most highly recommended on dvd. For others I have the full opera on cd. There are some where I have selected 30-40 minutes of highlights, and occasionally, if I've liked them, gone back to fill-out the full opera (one example coming towards the end of the week). For many, I simply have the overture and one or two arias.

I should add that I'm unusually sensitive to, 'hiss' and distortion on recordings so often find older live recordings difficult to listen to. Since many of the great opera performances seem to be more than 50-years old, I find myself preferring more modern recordings, rather than the undoubted greats of the past. For today, I have the full opera. I've only listened to the overture previously and found the 'hiss' frustrating, but will persevere:

Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia 'The Barber of Seville'

Vittorio Gui, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Harold Williams, John Rhys Evans, Laura Sarti, Victoria de los Angeles, Duncan Robertson, Luigi Alva, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus