In the month of March 2014 we celebrate the 300th
anniversary of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (born March 8, 1714) with a recital of
his music along with works by three of his close contacts: his famous father, Johann
Sebastian Bach (also with a birthday this month); his godfather, Georg Philipp
Telemann; and one of his colleagues, Johann Gottlieb Graun.
C. P. E. Bach himself will be represented by two “trios” for
violin and obbligato keyboard: in D minor, Wq 72, and in C minor, Wq 78. This
instrumentation is clearly modeled on his father’s “trios for two,” in which
the harpsichordist’s right hand takes the second solo line. The audience will
have the opportunity also to hear J. S. Bach’s trio (sonata) in C minor, BWV
1017—a sharp contrast with his son’s music in the same key. We will also
perform one of Telemann’s “Methodical Sonatas” (no. 12, in C major) and Graun’s
rarely heard trio for viola and obbligato keyboard.
We will present the program twice in Madison: on Saturday,
March 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the Chocolaterian Cafe (2004 Atwood Avenue); and on Sunday, March 23, at 3:00 p.m. at the Madison Public Library (Central
Library, Room 301, 201 W. Mifflin Street). Both performances are free, although
donations will be gratefully accepted at the Chocolaterian. Not to mention, of
course, that the Chocolaterian would appreciate your patronage—and we can
affirm that when you look at the menu or in the bakery case, you may find it
difficult not to oblige!
