Bach, W F: Kantate 'Erzittert und fallet', F 83

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach is nowadays deservedly recognised as perhaps the most talented and innovating son of the great Johann Sebastian.

Wilhelm Friedemann’s Cantatas are modelled on his father’s, but have a true individual style, influenced by the “Empfindsamer Stil” intended to convey true and natural feelings and encompassing sudden changes of mood. Excellent performances by German forces on period instruments. Including the complete Cantata texts.

Of Johann Sebastien Bach’s many children, three were composers of genius – C.P.E, J.C and W.F. Wilhelm. Friedrich remains the least understood, least known, and was possibly the most gifted of the three. He studied under his father, and it is thought that the Goldberg Variations were composed to show of his eldest son’s keyboard virtuosity. W.F was however a restless soul, who eventually abandoned music altogether. In 1750 it was W.F who managed his father estate after his death, and he had to sell off his father’s manuscripts to settle debts. His life was one of disorder, and although he managed to obtain several good positions, he fell into poverty, and ill health followed. It is possible that his last pupil was Sarah Itzig Levy, great aunt of Felix Mendelssohn. The cantatas on these discs contain some of W.F’s most forward looking and vocally demanding music. Firmly based upon the examples of his father’s cantatas (which W.F performed regularly) they are a strange and unique mix of the old fashioned and the new ‘Sturm und Drang’. In places the sound world of the young Haydn can be heard, in others the voice of J.S Bach sounds clearly.

These cantatas were composed by J S Bach’s eldest son, who was organist and musical director in Halle. Like his father, he composed cantatas regularly for services and festive occasions. His works were technically demanding for both singers and instrumentalists.

This is a unique collection of largely unknown compositions of the Bach family, the largest and most incredibly talented musical family of all time. For nearly two hundred years, the Bach family dedicated themselves to singing God’s praises in music. Helmuth Rilling, who has made the works of J S Bach and his family his life work, performs these pieces with delicacy, energy and intelligence.

This collection includes lesser known works such as Johann Ernst Bach’s motet Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn and Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach’s Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme as well as C P E Bach’s Easter Cantata.