Straddling the transition from the harpsichord to the piano, CPE Bach showed the way forward to a new instrumental sensibility...Using a modern piano, Marc-André Hamelin delivers 50 tracks to brilliantly illustrate that argument, in an exploration of the composer’s own exploration of possible effects.

suffice it to say that pianist Hamelin has mastered Bach’s often complex and quirky style excellently. The performance on a modern instrument, as noted, is quite stylish and exacting, but it does not lose the eclectic flavors that are native to the music. It is a model of performance for pianists.

Throughout the programme, Hamelin’s delight and relish are highly infectious...In short, I cannot think of a better introduction to CPE Bach on the modern piano than these two joyous discs.

Hamelin is ever-attuned to the composer’s delight in the possibilities of the relatively new instruments for which he was writing and their ability to switch between different palettes and textures in a heartbeat...And he’s a master at gently underlining (but never pre-empting) every surprise twist in mood or harmony, of which CPE supplies many throughout.