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Bach finds his new boss loves music but not musicians. With Donald Macleod.

In 1773, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach sat down to record his life story. He’d been asked to write it down for a new book on German music and it made him one of the first composers to produce an autobiography. This week, Donald Macleod follows the composer’s story, using Bach’s own account as his guide. Bach’s words provide fascinating insights into the things he considered most important but it’s possible that what he chose to leave out is even more revealing.

Today, Donald follows CPE Bach to Berlin, where he’s apparently been head-hunted for a prestigious position working for King Frederick the Great. Bach’s autobiography sums up his next three decades at the Prussian court in just a few, terse sentences and Donald wonders if this points to a growing frustration with his duties there.

Symphony in G major, Wq 173: I. Allegro assai
Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, directed by Raphael Alpermann

Trio Sonata in A Minor, Wq 148
Infusion Baroque

Sonata in A minor, Wq 132: I. Poco Adagio
Ashley Solomon, flute
Florilegium

Cello Concerto No 3 in A major, Wq 172: II. Largo con sordini, mesto & III. Allegro assai
Hidemi Suzuki, cello, direction
Bach Collegium Japan

Sonata in E minor, Wq 49 No 3
Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord