Wilhelm Friedemann Bach is nowadays deservedly recognised as perhaps the most talented and innovating son of the great Johann Sebastian.

Wilhelm Friedemann’s Cantatas are modelled on his father’s, but have a truly individual style, influenced by the “Empfindsamer Stil” intended to convey true and natural feelings and encompassing sudden changes of mood. 

Of Johann Sebastien Bach’s many children, three were composers of genius – CPE, JC and WF. Wilhelm Friedrich remains the least understood, least known, and was possibly the most gifted of the three. He studied under his father, and it is thought that the Goldberg Variations were composed to show off his eldest son’s keyboard virtuosity. WF was, however, a restless soul, who eventually abandoned music altogether. In 1750 it was WF who managed his father's estate after his death, and he had to sell off his father’s manuscripts to settle debts.

His life was one of disorder, and although he managed to obtain several good positions, he fell into poverty, and ill health followed. It is possible that his last pupil was Sarah Itzig Levy, great aunt of Felix Mendelssohn. The cantatas on these discs contain some of WF’s most forward looking and vocally demanding music. Firmly based upon the examples of his father’s cantatas (which WF performed regularly) they are a strange and unique mix of the old fashioned and the new ‘Sturm und Drang’. In places the sound world of the young Haydn can be heard, in others the voice of J S Bach sounds clearly.

These are excellent performances by German forces on period instruments. Complete Cantata texts are included.