Customer Reviews

Bach - Brandenburg Concerto / AAM, Hogwood

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the Holy Grail of Brandenburgs recordings. The performances and the recording quality are inspired and unsurpassed.

But be warned: Hogwood has recorded the "original version" of the set. The third movement of #1 is omitted; the fourth movement thus becomes the third movement and is itself abridged. Likewise, the pyrotechnic, crowd-goes-wild harpsichord solo in the first movement of #5 appears here abbreviated and tamed.

I can't for the life of me understand why Hogwood released versions of these pieces that are really of interest only to musicologists. However, these discs are so well done that I suggest buying this set anyway, and supplementing it with another recording of #1-#3-#5 (Trevor Pinnock's fine version, for example) which contains the rest of the riches.

I am not so well versed in the nuances of classical repertoires as most who post here, but I am a casual fan of Bach's Brandenburg and Violin Concertos, in particular.

I had listed to various interpretations over the years and whereas I can most always pick out these concertos when heard over the radio, Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music were the first specific performances I could recognize by ear, years after I had last heard them. It was then that I realized that these particular recordings had left an indelible and uniquely human imprint on my consciousness.

These may not be judged the "best" interpretations ever put to disc by "connoisseurs", but I find they are the standard by which I will always judge the rest. I highly recommend them.

I have owned this set of the 6 Brandenburg Concerti for over 20 years (the 1985 recordings). It might be easy to criticize Christopher Hogwood for "his interpretation," but he is giving us the original version of these immensely popular pieces. I am not a trained musician, but I know what I like to hear, and I really love hearing these pieces performed.

This set was among the first of my classical CD collection; it's actually #3 in my own catalog. Even if you have another set of these concerti, replace them with this set. (break one and ask for an early birthday present). The authenticity of the playing and hearing Mr. Hogwood on the harpsichord makes this a truly memorable listening experience.

Stuart Gustafson, author
www.stuartgustafson.com

One of the best recordings made of the Brandenburg Concerti. The AAM plays instruments as old as the music, but they sound better than any of today's instruments. -TLG

Quite simply, the greatest of the Brandenburgs that I have encountered. The playing is lively, the sound is great. This is far better than the other AAM Brandenburg from about 10 years later. In my top 5 favorite Classical recordings. It's out of print, but worth hunting down.

As Brandenburg Concertos go, it seems like you've heard it once, you've heard it before. Hogwood breaks no new ground with this recording except in varying some of the more "traditional" movements of the Concertos.

Technically, Hogwood and the Academy are as proficient and musically adept as ever. The sonic quality and enthusiasm is evident in every movement of every concerto, which is why I selected this set over others. Hard to pass on because of other recordings Hogwood's done (I especially like some of the Bach harpsichord concertos he's done). My next selection would have been Trevor Pinnock's, based on his previous recordings.

I have found that certain artists have a gift for creating reliable (but not predictable) recordings that are worthy of purchase. This is not the case with this CD set, however, as it was not as good as I had expected. Not that it is bad - it's just not <great>, which is what I have come to expect over the years from Hogwood and company.

Christopher Hogwood has done a splendid job with the Academy of Ancient Music in this masterful performance of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. I found myself stirred and uplifted.