German Delight

For this album, the musicians of the Apollo Ensemble withdrew to their homes, and in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic they came together to play Bach, Handel and Telemann composers they know like the back of their own hands. The new release German Delight by the Apollo Ensemble contains six examples of 'music for Kenner und Liebhaber'. Much of the German musical canon was written not for large and extravagant occasions such as weddings, coronations and opera, but be to played at home among small groups of friends and families. This genre of music was noted by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach as being music for 'Kenner und Liebhaber' professionals and amateurs, and it is known to many through the 19th century German Beidermier tradition. Since this music was never intended for large audiences, and often performed by capable colleagues, the composers could let off steam and pull out all the stops.