This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
The music of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (C.P.E. Bach) has been increasingly re-evaluated in recent years. His keyboard works, symphonies, and chamber music are gradually being included in concert programs and recordings. However, performance opportunities for his works remain limited, often overshadowed by more famous composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Modern performances of C.P.E. Bach’s works require the recreation of characteristics inherent in the *Empfindsamer Stil* (sensitive style)—notably, delicate emotional expression, sudden key changes, and nuanced ornamentation. Performing on period instruments like the clavichord or fortepiano is particularly effective in highlighting the charm of his music.
Prominent performers in the keyboard field include Miklós Spányi and Andreas Staier, who actively perform and record his sonatas and concertos. In the orchestral domain, period ensembles such as the Academy of Ancient Music and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin have taken up his symphonies and concertos.
Most performances occur at early music festivals or specialized concerts, with relatively few appearances in general concert programs. However, with the increase in recordings and the advancement of academic research, there is potential for greater recognition and more frequent performances of his music in the future.