C.P.E. Bach Sonatas for Keyboard & Violin

Rachel Podger solidifies her esteemed standing in the realm of baroque violinists with a remarkable rendition of CPE Bach's Sonatas, accompanied by the equally accomplished South African keyboard virtuoso, Kristian Bezuidenhout. (...) In the 'Arioso con variazioni Wq.79' the violin plays a subservient role, enhancing and enriching Bezuidenhout's eloquent and deeply nuanced performance of the piece's five variations. A captivating synergy between Rachel Podger and Kristian Bezuidenhout radiates throughout this recital, breathing life into every bar of these sonatas, making it challenging to envisage more exceptional interpretations. The SACD recording, produced in the resonant acoustics of St John the Evangelist in Upper Norwood, London in May 2022, attains sonic perfection. The impeccable engineering of Jared Sacks, renowned for its remarkable realism, captures both artists in harmonious equilibrium, epitomizing the standard of excellence we've come to anticipate from his productions.

Complementing this outstanding release are authoritative liner notes by Professor Timothy Jones that contribute to the comprehensive allure of this offering from Channel Classics

The accompanying press release referred to it as a "dream team": British violinist Rachel Podger and South African fortepianist and harpsichordist Kristian Bezuidenhout. And so it is, given this duo's achievements in both the concert hall and the studio and what this album has to offer. (...) In terms of playing technique - it is in line with the high expectations - there is no question but also the instrumental baroque rhetoric is fully addressed thanks to these four master hands. The sense of style is downright impressive, the understanding of the subject matter no less and the musicality of these interpretations may be called exemplary. That the keyboard instrument predominates obviously means a more subordinate role of the violin within the given proportions, but that does not take away from the fact that the many sparkling dialogues will make the most indulged enthusiast's mouth water; and certainly in this recording technical framework that puts the three instruments in the best imaginable light and the balance is equally ideal. In short, a very special achievement by all concerned!

Ah, and THIS is how it's done, my friends. A completely scrumptious new release from the queen of the Baroque violin, Rachel Podger. In partnership with keyboardist Kristian Bezuidenhout, Rachel gives to us a bit over an hour of completely entrancing music by the often underestimated Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach...

There should be nothing underestimated about these keyboard and violin sonatas. They are imaginative, innovative, sublime. Add to this the impeccable performances, with that breath of life Rachel delivers so well in all of her performances, the excellent partnership with Kristian Bezuidenhout, and the utterly delightful recording quality from Jared Sacks, and one has an album to savor again and again. It is a must listen recording.

As with so many of Rachel Podger's recordings, I am completely enchanted once again. She plays with such a high degree of emotional communication that I find her recordings unnervingly striking every chord within me. There is pure joy in her performances, one feels her connection with music, the composer and her audience. Even with music of great tenderness and sadness, it is her joy in sharing the most profound degrees of emotion that come across every time. She seeks those subtle delicacies and makes them sound spontaneous and alive. And there is no bravura here, no "look at me, see what I can do." Everything she does is simply and utterly in service to the composer and to the music.

And when these works are performed by two such creative talents as Rachel Podger and Kristian Bezuidenhout, the resulting recital is a listening experience of pure joy.