Composed in the Strum und Drang decade of the 1770s,
C.P.E. Bach's String Symphonies (6) are every bit as good as the best symphonies of the time, and that includes
Kraus, Dittersdorf, both of
Haydn's, and a young
Mozart. With strong themes, sensitive melodies, and startling harmonies set in unconventional structures,
Bach's String Symphonies absolutely deserve a place in
Haydn's Sturm und Drang symphonies as the most brilliant works of the classical period. Unfortunately, there have been few performances and fewer recordings of the works and most of the few recordings have been dim, dour, and not at all convincing. Not so on
Trevor Pinnock and the
English Concert's superlative 1979 recordings of
Bach's String Symphonies, which are more than completely convincing. The
Concert's playing is bright, robust, and surpassingly sweet with a wonderfully rich tone.
Pinnock's conducting is muscular, insightful, and deeply expressive. Archiv's recording is clear, rich, and warm. Taken together, they easily present the most compelling performances of
Bach's String Symphonies ever recorded.