Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Complete Works for Organ Vol. 1

Carl Philipp Emanuel's organ sonatas are still overshadowed by his overpowering father. Forkel, for example, wrote almost apologetically: "These organ solos were made for a princess who could not play a pedal or any difficulties, whether or not she had a beautiful organ with two pianos and a pedal made for her and enjoyed playing it."

Since the princess, meaning Anna Amalia v. Prussia, had a large organ with pedal built, not just a manualiter-positive, Forkel's frequently quoted anecdotal note must be viewed with a certain skepticism: is it perhaps an attempt by Forkel, who was artistically fixated on J. S. Bach, to find an excuse for the lack of pedal in C. Ph. E. Bach's sonatas, which he certainly perceived as a shortcoming? The actual reason for the abandonment of the pedal is probably due to the change in style to early classical music. It is because of their musical qualities that the organ sonatas by Bach's famous son are still often played today. The 6 authentic organ sonatas are presented in a new critical edition which for the first time takes into account the entire diverse source tradition.