Search - Johann Christian Bach, William Boughton, English Symphony Orchestra :: J.C. Bach: Six Grand Overtures, Op. 18

Splendid rendition of an early father of the modern symphony

chefdevergue | Spokane, WA United States | 02/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Johann Christian Bach is best known for being the youngest of Bach's sons, and is sometimes called the "English Bach." Beyond that, your average enthusiast of classical music knows little about him. However, he is an important figure in music. He was one of the most important influences on Mozart. In English music he bridges the span between Handel & Haydn, and was one of the premier composers in London for two decades. He also can be considered, alongside Haydn, one of the early fathers of the symphonic form.The pieces on this disc are called overtures, but at that time the term overture & symphony could be considered interchangable. All of these overtures are in 3 movements, except for the 4-movement 6th. I suppose it is fitting to call them overtures because most (except #1 & #5) have a definite operatic quality to them, having been culled from Bach's various operas, written in the 1770's. The Overture #3 is particularly sublime and displays some remarkable harmonic sophistication.Obviously, not a lot of people are listening to this disc, are probably wouldn't know JC Bach from a hole in the ground. If you think that Mozart developed his symphonic style in a vacuum on his own, think again. One encounter with JC Bach will quickly reveal at least part of Mozart's musical lineage."