Classical

In this, volume 29 of the BIS complete C.P.E. Bach keyboard series, Miklós Spányi makes a strong case for the clavichord, both in his playing and in the useful sleeve notes. He gets a wide range of dynamics and articulation, and the recording quality is excellent, picking up every nuance.

I was very impressed by the playing of this young Polish harpschordist when he recently accompanied Rachel Podger for the Georgian Concert Society in Edinburgh and these two CDs confirm him as a formidable talent.

Although this performance has aged well, for me it still lags behind the Eliot Gardiner version. Unusually for a Herreweghe recording, I was aware of a little too much micro-management, especially at cadences.

The phrase ‘sense and sensibility’ in the title is a very appropriate description of the playing here, as well as of the music. Cecchetti performs three mature sonatas, together with two Fantasias and a Rondo, with great sensitivity of feeling and of touch.

Bach’s six three-movement string symphonies represent the ultimate in the move from the Baroque, with its single mood (or affekt) within each movement, to the Pre-classical concept of depicting many short, contrasting motivic ideas in order to rapidly change the emotional experience of the listener within a short space of time.

Kristian Bezuidenhout has already garnered many plaudits for his Mozart keyboard series and this latest volume continues the same exceptional level of engagement with the music.

This is – without a doubt – my recording of the month. As much for proving that Haydn is every bit as fun and charming as his younger countryman as for the brilliant playing (in every sense) of all concerned.

This second instalment in Alpha’s projected complete symphonies recording in time for the 300th anniversary of the composer’s birthday features three striking works from the master and another by Bach’s oldest son.