Composer: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Performer: Danny Driver
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion Records
Size: 1.03 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Sonata in F sharp minor H37 Wq52/4
01. Allegro
02. Poco andante
03. Allegro assai
Sonata in E major H39 Wq62/5
04. Allegro
05. Andantino
06. Vivace di molto
Sonata in C minor H121 Wq65/31
07. Allegro assai ma pomposo
08. Andantino pathetico
09. Allegro scherzando
Sonata in A major H135 Wq65/32
10. Allegro
11. Andante con tenerezza
12. Allegretto
13. Fantasie in F sharp minor H300 Wq67
14. Rondo in D minor H290 Wq61/4
Magical and Sensitive CPE in the Hands of Driver
I’m a recent “convert” to the keyboard works of C.P.E. Bach. After being awed by Pletnev’s highly electric rendition of several sonatas and rondos I was a ready for a new interpretation. Danny Driver’s recordings are a welcome addition to the world of C.P.E Bach lovers. His performances are thoughtful, precise, clean, sensitive and well attuned to the composer’s often capricious style. He does this with much less ego than Pletnev — allowing the music’s expression to shine through yet never being overly eccentric to call attention to himself. He’s done just a marvelous job at capturing C.P.E.’s unusual phrasing and formal constructions. More than any thing Driver’s playing lures you into the intimate sound world of this composer with lots of charm and wit. Finally, the sound quality is superb – he plays a beautiful, well voiced piano and the recording captures his playing in a natural, no-fuss way (I’m sure Hyperion is no slouch when it comes to mixing and mastering). Bravo. I feel inspired to delve into one of these sonatas myself.