Bach had a large family (as was obviously known to the famous O-level candidate who was inspired to write ''Bach had many wives, and practised on a spinster in the attic''). Of that family the major composers are here with the exception of Johann Christian, who could surely have reasonably been included, perhaps at the expense of the Musikalisches Opfer trio sonata. Not that there is anything wrong with that sonata; but it duplicates Johann Sebastian as a contributor, and is easily availabel elsewhere.
Its trio-sonata format—two solo voices of flute and violin, accompanied by harpsichord and bass-reinforcing cello—is common to all the sons' works here recorded, save one; and it is very well managed by the players. The flute and violin form an excellent partnership, sometimes with uncanny unanimity in their timing of ornaments. They are helped, too, by a good balance in the recording. This allows just enough prominence to the flute to counterbalance the violin's tendency to predominate with its penetrating tone; it also keeps those two leading voices readily distinguishable by a well-judged stereo separation. Of these trio sonatas perhaps the strength of that of Carl Philipp Emanuel will come to many as a welcome surprise; but there is a disappointment in store for those who join me in a special admiration for Wilhelm Friedemann. For his contribution is obviously an unfinished (or perhaps largely lost) work of one movement, with the opening few bars of a most promising second.
The conventional make-up of the trio sonata is not at all followed by Johann Christoph Friedrich, who writes for flute, violin, and a keyboard which is actually allowed its share of tune: in the context, a welcome change. The change of viewpoint is emphasized here by Ritter changing from harpsichord to fortepiano, and by omitting the now less necessary cello reinforcement; again, the balance is very well managed.
The recording is very good in all respects, not only in the matter of balance. If the programme itself appeals, the LP should give much pleasure.'