The 1 C.P.E. Bach Cello Concerto That Will Crack Your Soul Wide Open (For Real)
Listen, I get it.
When you hear the name "Bach," a few things probably pop into your head right away: the Brandenburg Concertos, the Well-Tempered Clavier, maybe that incredible Toccata and Fugue in D minor that sounds like it belongs in a vampire movie.
But let's be real, you're probably thinking of Johann Sebastian Bach, the patriarch, the titan of the Baroque era.
And you'd be right to, of course.
However, what if I told you that there's another Bach, one of his own sons, who wrote music that’s so emotionally raw and so incredibly human that it feels like he's speaking directly to your heart, skipping the whole "classical music" filter entirely?
I'm talking about Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and specifically, his mind-bending Cello Concerto in A major, Wq. 172.
This isn't just another piece of powdered-wig-and-harpsichord music.
This is a piece that feels like a conversation, a struggle, and a triumph all wrapped up in a glorious 20-minute package.
If you've ever felt misunderstood, if you've ever wrestled with your own thoughts, or if you've just wanted to listen to something that's truly, deeply authentic, then you've come to the right place.
We're going to dive deep into this incredible work, and I'm going to show you why it deserves a permanent spot on your playlist—right next to whatever else you're currently obsessed with.
I promise, you won't regret it.
C.P.E. Bach, Wq. 172, A major, emotional music, historical context
Table of Contents: A Guide to Our Journey
Who Exactly Was C.P.E. Bach? Beyond the Shadow of a Giant
Why This A-Major Cello Concerto is a Hidden Treasure
Movement I: The Drama, the Fury, and the Flashes of Brilliance
Movement II: A Winding Path to the Heart of the Matter
Movement III: The Frenzy and the Finale
C.P.E. Bach's Other Cello Concertos: A Quick Comparison
My Personal Top Recordings: Where to Start Your Listening Journey
Where to Find Reliable Information and More Music
The Enduring Legacy of an Underappreciated Genius
Who Exactly Was C.P.E. Bach? Beyond the Shadow of a Giant
You’ve probably heard the family name before, but Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach is more than just J.S. Bach's second surviving son.
In his time, he was a superstar—a brilliant keyboard virtuoso and a composer who was arguably more famous than his father.
Imagine being the son of one of history’s greatest geniuses.
That's a lot of pressure, right?
Instead of just copying his dad's style, C.P.E. Bach took the meticulous, intricate counterpoint of the Baroque era and blasted it into a new universe.
He was a pioneer of the "Empfindsamkeit" style, which translates to "the sensitive style."
Think of it as the musical equivalent of a dramatic, heartfelt monologue.
It's all about sudden shifts in mood, emotional expression, and a kind of raw, almost theatrical quality that was completely new for the time.
While his father's music is like a perfectly structured cathedral, C.P.E.'s is like a wild, untamed garden—full of unexpected twists and turns, beautiful hidden corners, and a powerful sense of spontaneity.
This is what makes his music so engaging, and it’s why we’re still talking about it today.
It was a clear break from the past, a bridge between the Baroque and Classical eras, paving the way for the likes of Haydn and Mozart.
C.P.E. Bach, Empfindsamkeit, Baroque, Classical, musical history
Why This A-Major Cello Concerto is a Hidden Treasure
Okay, so let’s get specific.
C.P.E. Bach wrote three magnificent cello concertos: one in B-flat major, one in G major, and the one we're here to talk about, the one in A major, Wq. 172.
While all three are fantastic, this one, for me, stands out.
Why?
Because it feels like a secret.
It’s not as widely known as the concertos of Haydn or Boccherini, and that’s a shame, but it’s also part of its charm.
Listening to it feels like you've stumbled upon a hidden passage in a familiar city.
You know you're in the world of 18th-century classical music, but everything feels different, more unpredictable.
The orchestra and the cello don't just take turns playing; they interact, sometimes playfully, sometimes with an almost combative energy.
This concerto is a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
You can literally hear the music change its mind mid-phrase, jumping from a bright, optimistic melody to a melancholic sigh in a heartbeat.
It's this psychological depth that makes the piece so captivating.
You're not just hearing a sequence of notes; you're hearing the complex, messy, and beautiful journey of an idea, a feeling, a human experience.
It’s a truly personal work, and if you let it, it will get personal with you, too.
Cello Concerto, Wq. 172, A major, hidden gem, emotional depth
Movement I: The Drama, the Fury, and the Flashes of Brilliance
The concerto kicks off with an "Allegro di molto" that immediately grabs your attention.
This isn't a gentle, polite introduction.
No, the orchestra comes in with a powerful, almost aggressive theme.
It’s bold, it’s dramatic, and it sets the stage for a musical showdown.
When the cello finally enters, it doesn’t just repeat the orchestra's theme.
Instead, it starts with a swirling, virtuosic passage that feels like it’s trying to find its own footing, to stake its claim in this dramatic soundscape.
The cello part is incredibly demanding, a testament to C.P.E. Bach's deep understanding of the instrument's capabilities.
It soars and dives, performing acrobatic feats of double stops and fast runs that would make any modern cellist sweat.
But it's not just about showing off.
The music is filled with these jarring, beautiful surprises.
One moment, you're swept up in a powerful, driving rhythm, and the next, it pauses for a fleeting, lyrical moment of contemplation.
It's like listening to a great debater who can pivot from a fiery argument to a moment of quiet, personal reflection in the blink of an eye.
The interplay between the soloist and the orchestra is where the real magic happens.
They’re not always in agreement.
Sometimes they're in harmony, sometimes they're in a heated argument, but it's always compelling.
Allegro di molto, cello virtuosity, orchestral interplay, emotional shifts, Wq. 172 first movement
Movement II: A Winding Path to the Heart of the Matter
The second movement, marked "Largo con sordini," is where this concerto truly distinguishes itself.
The term "con sordini" means "with mutes," which instructs the strings of the orchestra to play with a small device that softens their sound.
The effect is simply breathtaking.
It's like the entire world suddenly goes quiet, and you're left with just the sound of a single, solitary voice.
This movement is pure poetry.
The cello takes on a mournful, song-like quality, weaving a slow, melancholy melody that feels incredibly personal and intimate.
The music is filled with subtle dissonances and unexpected harmonic turns that create a sense of longing and vulnerability.
It's a masterpiece of emotional restraint and expressive power.
When I first heard it, I was completely floored.
It felt like C.P.E. Bach was writing a private diary entry for the cello, sharing his deepest, most pensive thoughts.
This movement is proof that you don't need a lot of noise or a grand scale to create something profoundly moving.
The beauty is in the nuance, the quiet whispers, and the aching melodies that resonate long after the music has faded.
Largo con sordini, emotional vulnerability, slow movement, cello solo, poignant melodies
Movement III: The Frenzy and the Finale
After the soul-crushing beauty of the second movement, the finale, an "Allegro assai," comes as a jolt of energy.
It’s fast, it's furious, and it’s a brilliant showcase of the cello's agility.
The mood shifts completely from pensive to exuberant, and it feels like the clouds have parted and the sun has broken through.
But this isn't a simple, happy-go-lucky finale.
This is C.P.E. Bach we're talking about.
The music is full of dynamic contrasts and sudden changes in direction, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Just when you think you’ve got the pattern, he throws in a new twist, a surprise chord, or an unexpected rhythmic shift.
The cello part is a whirlwind of scales, arpeggios, and leaping passages that sound like pure joy and unbridled freedom.
The orchestra is right there with it, providing a propulsive and vibrant backdrop.
It’s the perfect end to a deeply emotional journey, a final exclamation point that says, "We've been through a lot, but here we are, victorious."
The third movement proves that C.P.E. Bach wasn't just a master of pathos; he was a master of excitement and technical brilliance, too.
Allegro assai, finale, virtuosic, rhythmic energy, triumphant conclusion
C.P.E. Bach's Other Cello Concertos: A Quick Comparison
I told you Wq. 172 is my favorite, but that doesn't mean his other two cello concertos aren't worth your time.
In fact, they are just as stunning in their own right, each with its own unique personality.
The Cello Concerto in B-flat major, Wq. 171, is a fascinating piece.
It has a more grand, almost ceremonial feel in its first movement, with a majestic opening that feels both Baroque and forward-looking at the same time.
The slow movement is a beautiful, lyrical meditation, and the finale is a whirlwind of energetic scales and arpeggios.
It’s a bit more "conventional" in its structure, but it’s still filled with C.P.E.’s signature emotional swings.
Then you have the Cello Concerto in G major, Wq. 170.
This one is perhaps the most joyous of the three, with a bright, sunny disposition from the very beginning.
The first movement is full of infectious melodies and a playful give-and-take between the soloist and the orchestra.
The slow movement is a tender, expressive moment of repose, and the finale is a pure delight, full of wit and charm.
While all three share a certain family resemblance in their stylistic quirks and emotional depth, the A major concerto remains the one that, for me, delves the deepest into the human psyche.
If you love the A major, you will absolutely adore its two companions.
C.P.E. Bach, Wq. 171, Wq. 170, cello concertos, musical comparison
My Personal Top Recordings: Where to Start Your Listening Journey
Now that you're hopefully convinced that this piece is a must-listen, you're probably wondering where to start.
Here are a few of my go-to recordings that truly capture the spirit of this music.
My absolute top recommendation is the recording by the legendary cellist Anner Bylsma with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Bylsma's playing on a period instrument is nothing short of transcendent.
He brings a raw, almost improvisatory quality to the music that makes it feel alive and spontaneous.
It's not pristine or perfectly manicured; it's rugged, full of character, and it captures the "Empfindsamkeit" style in a way that few others have.
Another fantastic choice is the recording by Jean-Guihen Queyras with the Freiburger Barockorchester.
Queyras has a beautiful, rich tone and his interpretation is full of passion and dramatic flair.
It's a more polished and emotionally intense reading that truly highlights the concerto's virtuosic side.
And for a slightly more modern, less "period-style" take, you can’t go wrong with Mischa Maisky.
Maisky’s performance is full of warmth and a lush, singing tone that brings a different kind of beauty to the piece.
Each of these recordings offers a unique perspective on the concerto, and I encourage you to listen to all of them to find your personal favorite.
Anner Bylsma, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Mischa Maisky, C.P.E. Bach recordings, cello concertos
Where to Find Reliable Information and More Music
The internet is a vast and confusing place, but there are some excellent, trustworthy resources for diving deeper into C.P.E. Bach’s world.
Below are a few links to sites I trust that can help you find more about his life, his music, and the broader context of the period.
AllMusic is a fantastic resource for learning about composers and their works, and their entry on C.P.E. Bach is comprehensive and easy to navigate.
It gives you a great overview of his life and his incredible output.
AllMusic, music resource, reliable source, composer biography, C.P.E. Bach
For the more adventurous music lovers and musicians, the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) is a treasure trove of public domain scores.
Here you can download the score for the A major concerto and follow along as you listen, which is an amazing way to appreciate the genius of his writing.
IMSLP, sheet music, public domain, musical scores, free download
The Encyclopedia Britannica provides a concise and well-researched biography of C.P.E. Bach that puts his work into a broader historical and cultural context.
It's a great place to get a sense of his importance beyond just the musical sphere.
Britannica, encyclopedia, historical context, C.P.E. Bach, classical music
The Enduring Legacy of an Underappreciated Genius
So, there you have it.
A deep dive into one of the most compelling and beautiful works in the cello repertoire.
C.P.E. Bach's Cello Concerto in A major, Wq. 172, isn't just a historical curiosity.
It's a living, breathing work of art that has something profound to say to us, even centuries after it was written.
It’s a reminder that music, at its core, is a human expression of emotion, and it can be messy, unpredictable, and ultimately, deeply rewarding.
If you take nothing else away from this, I hope it’s this: don't be afraid to look beyond the big names and famous titles.
There is a whole universe of incredible music out there, just waiting to be discovered.
And sometimes, the most beautiful things are the ones you find on the less-traveled path.
So go on, give this concerto a listen, and let C.P.E. Bach’s genius speak to you.
I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.
C.P.E. Bach, Wq. 172, cello concerto, classical music, enduring legacy
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