Steven Isserlis, Academy of Ancient Music, Wigmore Hall

JS Bach casts a long shadow over a programme of music by his sons

by Alexandra CoghlanThursday, 27 January 2011

Steven Isserlis: On characteristically head-banging, hand-jiving form

No self-mutilation or incest, but plenty of daddy issues at the Wigmore Hall last night in a musical glance through the Bach family album. Carefully keeping Johann Sebastian out of the way (presumably lest he show everyone else up and spoil the fun), Richard Egarr guided us through the work of his four composer sons. Spread across Europe from London to Hamburg and Bologna, the differing influences, fashions and character of each becomes quickly evident. Just a shame that – even in his absence – all remain so comprehensively dwarfed by their father.

Exhilarating for the most part, there were moments where it would have been nice not to hear the melodies down a long-distance telephone line in a high wind

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