Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

A Bid for Posterity

Donald Macleod relives the once-in-a-lifetime moment when the first Sing-Akademie manuscript was drawn from a crate in 1999, and the magnitude of the treasure trove was revealed.

This week we look at CPE Bach's music and reputation in the light of the sensational rediscovery of much his archive in 1999. Throughout the week we'll hear recent recordings of this 'new' music. In this episode, Donald Macleod relives the once-in-a-lifetime moment when the first manuscript was drawn out of a crate in Kiev to reveal the stamp "Sing-Akademie zu Berlin", and the magnitude of the treasure trove was revealed. He explores how the discovery has changed the way Bach and his music is seen in 2019.

The collection of Bach family manuscripts was thought destroyed or irretrievably lost. But in the late 1950s, a few choir books from the Sing-Akademie were returned from Moscow to East Berlin, suggesting the collection may have found its way to Moscow. Eventually a retired librarian in Kiev revealed that restricted music deposits at the Kiev Conservatoire had been transferred to another institution in Ukraine in 1973.

Finally, the music was traced to the Archive-Museum of Literature and Art in Kiev. The excitement of the discovery spread around the world – the music historian and Bach biographer Christoph Wolff said, β€œAll of a sudden you understand the creative mind of a great composer. As an historian, I would have to say this was clearly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I don't think it will happen again. There is no other collection of that magnitude and that importance around.”

Leite mich nach deinem Willen, H 835
Himlische Cantorey
Les Amis de Philippe
Ludger RΓ©my, conductor

Cello Concerto in A major, Wq 172 (2nd mvt)
Raphael Wallfisch
Scottish Ensemble
Jonathan Morton, conductor

Symphony in B minor, Wq 182 No 5
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Rebecca Miller, conductor

Sonata in C major, Wq 55 No 1 (FΓΌr Kenner und Liebhaber)
Gabor Antalffy, harpsichord

Double Concerto for harpsichord and fortepiano in E Flat major, Wq 47
Michael Behringer, harpsichord
Christine Schornsheim, fortepiano
Freiburger Barockorchester
Gottfried von der Goltz, conductor

Produced by Iain Chambers for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:00

Music Played

  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

    Leite mich nach deinem Willen, H 835

    Ensemble: Himmlische Cantorey. Ensemble: Les Amis de Philippe. Conductor: Ludger RΓ©my.
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

    Cello Concerto in A major, Wq 172 (Largo)

    Performer: Raphael Wallfisch. Ensemble: Scottish Ensemble. Conductor: Jonathan Morton.
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

    Symphony in B minor, Wq 182 No 5

    Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Conductor: Rebecca Miller.
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

    Sonata in C major, Wq 55 No 1

    Performer: Gabor Antalffy.
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

    Double Concerto for harpsichord and fortepiano in E flat major, Wq 47

    Performer: Michael Behringer. Performer: Christine Schornsheim. Orchestra: Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: Gottfried von der Goltz.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 5 Jul 2019 12:00
  • Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.