W. F. Bach & J. G. Müthel: Complete Works for Two Fortepianos
Fortepianists Geoffrey Lancaster and James Huntingford join forces on a landmark Australian early-instrument recording: the complete works for two fortepianos by W. F. Bach and J. G. Müthel, played with rare virtuosity and stylistic insight.
It will be a long time before the transcendental virtuosity, artistry and stylistic insights heard on this CD are equalled within the Australian ‘early music’ world. If you haven’t heard Müthel’s duos, you haven’t lived.
The eighteenth-century English music historian Dr Charles Burney, a persuasive advocate of German music, ranked these works ‘among the greatest productions of the present age.’ W. F. Bach’s ‘concerto’ for two keyboard instruments is no less dazzling – hardly a surprise from J. S. Bach’s most gifted son. Need to be astonished? Add this recording to your collection.
Artists
Geoffrey Lancaster
Geoffrey Lancaster plays Mozart and Haydn on the fortepiano with fearless freedom: improvised preludes, lavish ornament, tempo that breathes and darts. The playing reclaims the music's wit, drama and conversational intimacy.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach wrote keyboard music that keeps the contrapuntal craft of his father while sounding freer and more improvisatory. His polonaises and the Concerto for two fortepianos stand among the most personal works of the Bach sons.
Tracks
JOHANN GOTTFRIED MÜTHEL (1728–88)
— Duetto in C major for two fortepianos
WILHELM FRIEDEMANN BACH (1710–84) — Concerto in F major for two unaccompanied fortepianos (Fk 10)
JOHANN GOTTFRIED MÜTHEL — Duetto in E-flat major for two fortepianos (1771)
Performers
- Geoffrey Lancaster · fortepiano
- James Huntingford · fortepiano
Where to listen
W. F. Bach & J. G. Müthel: Complete Works for Two Fortepianos is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- TP267
- Label
- Tall Poppies
- Category
- Great Classics
- Genre
- Classical Era
Related recordings

Mozart: Sonatas K. 570, 282, 333
Geoffrey Lancaster returns with three Mozart keyboard sonatas on fortepiano. His earlier Tall Poppies set of the K. 330–332 group had already won strong critical notice.

Haydn: Seven Last Words of Christ
One of the most extraordinary of Haydn’s late works. Five versions exist, including the original orchestral score; this keyboard version was prepared by his publisher Artaria and thoroughly approved by the composer. Full of passion and contemplation, it receives a superlative performance.

Mozart: Keyboard Sonatas, K. 330-332
By 2017 Geoffrey Lancaster was deep into the fifth decade of his performing career. Tall Poppies first recorded him in Mozart in 1991, accompanying the Song Company on Mozart Unexpurgated. A quarter-century later he returns to the composer with three of the best-loved keyboard sonatas.

Joseph Haydn: Complete Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 4
Tall Poppies and fortepianist Geoffrey Lancaster continue their survey of Joseph Haydn’s complete keyboard sonatas. He gave the full cycle of 52 sonatas in concert in Melbourne, Perth and Canberra for the 2009 bicentenary, and records them on period instruments from Australian collections.

Joseph Haydn: Complete Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 3
Tall Poppies and fortepianist Geoffrey Lancaster continue their survey of Joseph Haydn’s complete keyboard sonatas on period instruments.

Joseph Haydn: Complete Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 2
2009 marked the bicentenary of Joseph Haydn’s death. To commemorate the anniversary, Tall Poppies and fortepianist Geoffrey Lancaster began recording Haydn’s complete keyboard sonatas on period instruments.