For those unaware, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Württemberg Sonatas were written in 1742-3, and dedicated to Carl Eugen Duke of Württemberg, who studied with CPE at the court of Frederik the Great in Berlin. Published in 1744, they are regarded today as musical masterpieces of the era between the Baroque and the Classical.

Keith Jarrett’s recording of the Württemberg Sonatas followed a period in which he had been focusing on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. ECM New Series documented Jarrett’s interpretations of Das Wohltemperierte Klavier Buch 1 (recorded February 1987), the Goldberg Variations (January 1989), The French Suites (September1991) and, with Kim Kashkashian, the 3 Sonaten für Viola da Gamba und Cembalo (also September 1991).

Other classical recordings made by Jarrett in this period included Shostakovich’s Bach-inspired 24 Preludes and Fugues (recorded July 1991) and Suites for Keyboard by Bach’s contemporary Georg Friedrich Händel (September 1993).

CD 1:
Sonata I in a minor, H. 30
1. Moderato (07:33)
2. Andante (03:15)
3. Allegro assai (05:28)

Sonata II in A-flat major, H. 31
4. Un poco allegro (06:51)
5. Adagio03:07)
6. Allegro03:50)

Sonata III in e minor, H. 33
7. Allegro (06:01)
8. Adagio (03:16)
9. Vivace(02:59)

The first of the discs features Sonata I in a minor, H. 30 and opens on the impassioned Moderato and then brings us the heartfelt Andante and the playful Allegro assai, before we are brought forth the Sonata II in A-flat major, H. 31, with the pronounced elegance of Un poco allegro leading the way, followed by opulent Adagio and the delightfully sprightly Allegro, the final work on this disc being Sonata III in e minor, H. 33l which opens on the poignant Allegro, the delicate Adagio, the set closing on the furtively perky Vivace.

CD 2:
Sonata IV in B-flat major, H. 32
1. Un poco allegro (05:47)
2. Andante (03:00)
3. Allegro (04:30)

Sonata V in E-flat major, H. 34
4. Allegro (07:41)
5. Adagio (03:20)
6. Allegro assai (03:31)

Sonata VI in b minor, H. 36
7. Moderato (07:02)
8. Adagio non molto (03:43)
9. Allegro (04:29)

The second disc first brings us Sonata IV in B-flat major, H. 32 which is itself led by the passionately sculpted Un poco allegro, the polished Andante and the cheery Allegro, and then comes Sonata V in E-flat major, H. 34, which is opened by the jaunty Allegro, the more studious Adagio, and rounded out by a simply dashing Allegro assai, the last piece being Sonata VI in b minor, H. 36; which opens on the flowering Moderato, is followed by a most wistful Adagio non molto, the set, along with the recording, coming to a close on the perfectly salacious dance of keys brought forth within Allegro.

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