BACH FAMILY: Harpsichord Concertos (Erato 9029588846)

IN THE 1730s you could have heard some terrific music at the Cafe Zimmermann in Leipzig. In charge of the Collegium Musicum, the resident band, was J.S. Bach — and his three sons also provided pieces for the patrons. Harpsichordist Jean Rondeau has chosen works by all four, and plays them brilliantly with just six period instrumentalists. We get two concertos by J.S. Bach, the famous D minor and the F minor, and eldest son W.F. is represented by a sonata movement which Rondeau has arranged for the group. An unusual F minor Concerto is attributed to J.C. Bach and C.P.E. Bach contributes a typically forceful concerto in D minor.